LARSEN, Maggie “Marguerite Linda Rafeiro” left us peacefully in her sleep Wednesday evening at 10:45 March 24, after saying good night to her beloved son Ole and his partner Teliah, with her dear friend Sara watching over her.
Maggie was born February 24, 1944 in Palo Alto California, where she grew up in a bi-lingual familia on a five acre farm of orchards, gardens, chickens, and stray perros in a big old farm house filled with brothers, a sister, and many foster children that her Mama and Papa lovingly cared for.
Maggie attended San Jose State after high school and graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 1966 with a degree in Psychology. She also earned a teaching degree in 1980 from the University of Victoria. While living in Berkeley, she met Tom and many life long friends. Maggie and Tom traveled together within Canada, the U.S, Mexico, Central America, and hitch hiked throughout Europe, North Africa, and across the Northern Sahara. In 1971, the opportunity to move and settle on Denman Island came by good fortune and good friends. This is where Maggie truly found her place, living in her beautiful home on the Lake Farm raising her son Ole, always her utmost pride and joy, surrounded by nature and the quaint and warm security of the Denman community. Maggie taught in preschools from Richmond California to Denman Island, and then Courtenay and North Island college. Remembered for her nurturing and mothering presence in the loving care of so many children, it was a joy for Maggie to watch them grow up and flourish before her eyes as the years passed.
Maggie fought long and admirably against her illness with the help of many special people, Marty from Berkeley, Sara & Bob, Concha & Tom, Patty & Doug, Tandy, Marion, Bev, Heather, Teliah and many others. Maggie leaves many good friends and family who will remember her sharp sense of humor, assuring smile, and kind words for all. Maggie's gracious essence and positive outlook prevailed until her last breaths. A truly good person, a great lady, one of a kind. Sweet dreams, Mag Love Tom
Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Nurses and Home Support Workers from Home and Community Care for the exceptional care provided and as Maggie said “the invaluable work that you all do”. In addition, we would like to thank Maggie's team of Doctors especially Dr. Kim at Stanford and the Scruton's. Maggie appreciated all your efforts and the genuine concern you expressed in her care.
Celebration of life will be held at Maggie's house on the Lake Farm, Sunday April 11 @ 1:30 p.m.