Margaret “Marge” Craig, 93, was welcomed to her eternal home in heaven on October 1, 2020. Her committed belief in God and her devotion to her family served as an example to all those who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Violet DePaul and grandson Cole Hanes.
Margaret was born in Astoria, Long Island in 1927. Even at the early age of five years old, she was fascinated with music and started piano lessons. As a Christian teenager, she became a part of church ministry and was the church pianist for Astoria Baptist Church and served in other churches throughout her life. Margaret studied at Juilliard School of Music majoring in piano. She was invited to tour with performing artists in concert and did so for a short while, but chose to follow her dream of developing a music studio that would not only teach music but include a complete course of music appreciation from classical to contemporary. She opened her studio and it was so successful she hired a qualified assistant. Margaret taught music before love and marriage led her path to Manteca, California.
Margaret married Joseph Craig in 1950 and their commitment to their faith in God and love for each other established their foundation and they have celebrated 70 years of marriage. God blessed them with two sons, Mark Stephen Craig and Paul Jeffrey Craig. Both sons were dedicated to the Lord which taught and encouraged them to follow a Godly life and serve the Lord.
“Marge” and her husband “Joe” moved to Manteca in 1964, due to a large part of their deep and abiding commitment to their faith. This led them to come to this “then” small town to help and serve in Calvary Baptist Church, a church that was then located on Button Avenue. After experiencing a phenomenal group through the years, the church sold its place of worship at Button Avenue and built a larger and more modern house of worship on a larger piece of land on Lathrop Road, and at the same time the church changed its name to Calvary Community Church. Margaret served as church pianist for 25 years.
She was going to continue teaching but was offered a position with the Manteca Bulletin and thought that would be an opportune way to feel the pulse of the city and accepted the position. She held the position of Classified Advertising Director and amassed an incredible total of over 90 “trade awards” in regional and state newspaper conventions. She was actively involved in a number of community projects and activities for which she was recognized. Her years of involvement in Soroptimist International of Manteca, a service club which supports many civic projects, earned her the Women Helping Woman Award. She was honored by Manteca Historical Society as part of the tribute of outstanding women and included in the Heritage Quilt displayed at Manteca Historical Society & Museum. Another year, she was honored by the Manteca Association of Realtors with a Community Service Award. Her leadership in the newspaper industry was manifested when she was chosen to serve as president of the California Classified Advertising Executives. In addition to her many professional accomplishments and personal achievements, Craig left lifelong memories of kind gestures to the many young employees whom she has guided through more than 36 years at the newspaper. Many of those once young and eager learners have since gone on to bigger and greater things in life. Margaret’s mother gave her a life verse taken from the bible, which she has embraced and lived by, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Margaret’s surviving beloved relatives include her husband Joseph, two sons, Mark (Teri) Craig and Paul (Erika) Craig, her grandchildren, Jeffrey and Peaches Craig, Michael and Meredith Craig, Austin Hanes and Brandi Akard, and great-grandchildren, Timothy, Nathan, Bella and John Mark Craig.
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Craig family. Margaret will be buried at a private family service at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. The family gratefully decline flowers and donations and ask for your continued prayers. An online guestbook is available for condolences at www.plfryandson.com
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Violet DePaul and grandson Cole Hanes.
Margaret was born in Astoria, Long Island in 1927. Even at the early age of five years old, she was fascinated with music and started piano lessons. As a Christian teenager, she became a part of church ministry and was the church pianist for Astoria Baptist Church and served in other churches throughout her life. Margaret studied at Juilliard School of Music majoring in piano. She was invited to tour with performing artists in concert and did so for a short while, but chose to follow her dream of developing a music studio that would not only teach music but include a complete course of music appreciation from classical to contemporary. She opened her studio and it was so successful she hired a qualified assistant. Margaret taught music before love and marriage led her path to Manteca, California.
Margaret married Joseph Craig in 1950 and their commitment to their faith in God and love for each other established their foundation and they have celebrated 70 years of marriage. God blessed them with two sons, Mark Stephen Craig and Paul Jeffrey Craig. Both sons were dedicated to the Lord which taught and encouraged them to follow a Godly life and serve the Lord.
“Marge” and her husband “Joe” moved to Manteca in 1964, due to a large part of their deep and abiding commitment to their faith. This led them to come to this “then” small town to help and serve in Calvary Baptist Church, a church that was then located on Button Avenue. After experiencing a phenomenal group through the years, the church sold its place of worship at Button Avenue and built a larger and more modern house of worship on a larger piece of land on Lathrop Road, and at the same time the church changed its name to Calvary Community Church. Margaret served as church pianist for 25 years.
She was going to continue teaching but was offered a position with the Manteca Bulletin and thought that would be an opportune way to feel the pulse of the city and accepted the position. She held the position of Classified Advertising Director and amassed an incredible total of over 90 “trade awards” in regional and state newspaper conventions. She was actively involved in a number of community projects and activities for which she was recognized. Her years of involvement in Soroptimist International of Manteca, a service club which supports many civic projects, earned her the Women Helping Woman Award. She was honored by Manteca Historical Society as part of the tribute of outstanding women and included in the Heritage Quilt displayed at Manteca Historical Society & Museum. Another year, she was honored by the Manteca Association of Realtors with a Community Service Award. Her leadership in the newspaper industry was manifested when she was chosen to serve as president of the California Classified Advertising Executives. In addition to her many professional accomplishments and personal achievements, Craig left lifelong memories of kind gestures to the many young employees whom she has guided through more than 36 years at the newspaper. Many of those once young and eager learners have since gone on to bigger and greater things in life. Margaret’s mother gave her a life verse taken from the bible, which she has embraced and lived by, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Margaret’s surviving beloved relatives include her husband Joseph, two sons, Mark (Teri) Craig and Paul (Erika) Craig, her grandchildren, Jeffrey and Peaches Craig, Michael and Meredith Craig, Austin Hanes and Brandi Akard, and great-grandchildren, Timothy, Nathan, Bella and John Mark Craig.
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Craig family. Margaret will be buried at a private family service at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. The family gratefully decline flowers and donations and ask for your continued prayers. An online guestbook is available for condolences at www.plfryandson.com
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
