SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Another amazing woman has passed from this life.

Margaret Reese took her final breath at age 87 on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, at her home in Santa Rosa.

A vibrant member of her Brookdale community, she gardened, led exercise, called Bingo, arranged flowers, made jewelry, served as Resident Council President and so much more.

Margaret’s health declined rapidly following a traumatic fall in December. She rejoiced in the visits she received from all of her “kids” over the past two weeks.

Proud to be a Halloween baby, Margaret was the youngest of four, born Oct. 31, 1931, in Glendale, Ariz., to Nicholas and Roberta Stanley.

She moved to Southern California at age 8 and to Scotts Valley in Lakeport at age 13 where she grew up on a ranch and enjoyed riding her beloved “Cap” in parades and Junior Horsemen and cooking for the several boys her family fostered on the ranch.

Margaret met her husband Bob Reese at The Aurora Club and they were married June 22, 1952.

As a housewife and accomplished seamstress, she raised three children and supported Bob as he managed, then purchased, the Lakeport Theatre from his mother following his father’s death.

Bob and Margaret eventually built the Lakeport Auto Movies and later, the Cinema 5 until retirement in 1999.

Margaret sold tickets at the theatre, managed the drive-in and was the “woman behind a great man.”

While nothing meant more to Margaret than her family, their cherished employees were nurtured and considered family too, often treated to backyard barbecue swim parties at the house. Margaret mentored many young girls through their teen years. Theatre patrons were appreciated by the Reeses and they felt it.

Margaret loved the community of Lake County. She was a member and Mother Advisor of Rainbow Girls, member of Eastern Star, PTA Volunteer of the year, main chauffer of the Clear Lake High School Wrestling team, sang for a time with the Triple Trio group, Special Olympics volunteer, Soccer Team Scholarship Fund, Sponsoring Survivorship volunteer, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority member, Lake County Women’s Civic Club, and Clear Lake Road Riders Treasurer.

She travelled many miles on the back of Bob’s Honda Gold Wing forming many close friendships, enjoyed hunting and fishing (better than being left home), and travel trailer camping as well as several cruises with various friends and family.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Patti Gernert (Gary) of Santa Rosa; stepson, Gordon Reese of Corona del Mar; and daughter-in-law, Melodee Reese of Cypress, Texas. Grammie to grandchildren, Andrea Schulken (Chris) of Chico, Stefanie Gernert of Sacramento, Lisa Powell (Trevor) of Santa Rosa, Rachael Burgan (Brandon) of Waller, Texas, Alicia Nunez (Leo) of Cypress, Texas, Jeremy Reese of Cypress, Texas, Nick and Troy Reese of Southern California. Her greatest joy is being “GiGi” to her nine great grandchildren, Taylor and Mason Schulken, Logan and Henry Powell, Owen and Dean Counts, Mackenzie and Maddison Burgan and Makayla Nunez. She’s also “Aunt Margaret” to a niece and three nephews.

Predeceased by her parents; husband, Bob Reese; daughter, Diane Reese; son, James Reese; brothers, Nicholas Stanley Jr. and Thomas Stanley; and sister, Sally Prehoda.

The void on earth left by her passing will be difficult to fill.

Visitation will be held at Soper-Reese Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.