Margaret Ballard was born in Bovey Tracey, England, the daughter of a dairy farmer. She was an ambulance driver during World War II as well as an active member in local theatrical groups such as the Newton Abbot Repertory Company, Paignton Pantomine and the Bovey Players.
In 1943, she met her future husband, American Army Sergeant Jim Ballard, while delivering milk to a local cafe. He was the first American Margaret, or any of the villagers, had ever seen. The soldiers were the first and only American troops stationed in Bovey Tracey. Margaret and Jim were married in 1944 at the Bovey Tracey Parish Church. In 1946, she arrived in the United States on the Queen Mary to begin her new life.
Her daughter, Linda, was born in 1948 and daughter, Wendy, born in 1951 in Santa Monica. After living in Santa Monica and La Canada, CA; Jim and Margaret moved to Carpinteria in 1970. Margaret was involved in local organizations, becoming the past president of the Newcomers Club and the Carpinteria Republican Women's Club. They met many of their lifelong friends through the Carpinteria Lions Club where Jim continues to be an active member.
Margaret and Jim loved their many trips back to England to visit her hometown. In 2004, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with her family and relatives as well as a few close friends from Carpinteria. At this time, they featured on the BBC local news recognizing their return to Bovey Tracey for this wonderful event.
Margaret was an avid walker, enjoying long walks with her friends. Her other interests included gardening, bird watching, reading, and especially traveling in their motor home. Over the years, they visited 48 U.S. states and parts of Canada.
Margaret leaves her loving husband of 66 years, Jim, and her daughters Linda McCoy and Wendy Thurston; both of Washington. Her beloved grandchildren, John McCoy of Carpinteria and Emily Thompson of Washington will miss her dearly. She also leaves a brother Arthur Mann and sister Mary Drummond of England, and a brother Peter Mann of Carpinteria.
We want to thank Margaret's close friends and family members for their continued support and love during this journey. The family extends their gratitude to Maria, Myra and Holly from Hospice of Santa Barbara for their expertise, compassion and loving care over the past few months.
Donations can be made in Margaret's memory to Hospice of Santa Barbara, Lions Club of Carpinteria and HELP of Carpinteria.
In 1943, she met her future husband, American Army Sergeant Jim Ballard, while delivering milk to a local cafe. He was the first American Margaret, or any of the villagers, had ever seen. The soldiers were the first and only American troops stationed in Bovey Tracey. Margaret and Jim were married in 1944 at the Bovey Tracey Parish Church. In 1946, she arrived in the United States on the Queen Mary to begin her new life.
Her daughter, Linda, was born in 1948 and daughter, Wendy, born in 1951 in Santa Monica. After living in Santa Monica and La Canada, CA; Jim and Margaret moved to Carpinteria in 1970. Margaret was involved in local organizations, becoming the past president of the Newcomers Club and the Carpinteria Republican Women's Club. They met many of their lifelong friends through the Carpinteria Lions Club where Jim continues to be an active member.
Margaret and Jim loved their many trips back to England to visit her hometown. In 2004, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with her family and relatives as well as a few close friends from Carpinteria. At this time, they featured on the BBC local news recognizing their return to Bovey Tracey for this wonderful event.
Margaret was an avid walker, enjoying long walks with her friends. Her other interests included gardening, bird watching, reading, and especially traveling in their motor home. Over the years, they visited 48 U.S. states and parts of Canada.
Margaret leaves her loving husband of 66 years, Jim, and her daughters Linda McCoy and Wendy Thurston; both of Washington. Her beloved grandchildren, John McCoy of Carpinteria and Emily Thompson of Washington will miss her dearly. She also leaves a brother Arthur Mann and sister Mary Drummond of England, and a brother Peter Mann of Carpinteria.
We want to thank Margaret's close friends and family members for their continued support and love during this journey. The family extends their gratitude to Maria, Myra and Holly from Hospice of Santa Barbara for their expertise, compassion and loving care over the past few months.
Donations can be made in Margaret's memory to Hospice of Santa Barbara, Lions Club of Carpinteria and HELP of Carpinteria.
Margaret Ballard was born in Bovey Tracey, England, the daughter of a dairy farmer. She was an ambulance driver during World War II as well as an active member in local theatrical groups such as the Newton Abbot Repertory Company, Paignton Pantomine and the Bovey Players.
In 1943, she met her future husband, American Army Sergeant Jim Ballard, while delivering milk to a local cafe. He was the first American Margaret, or any of the villagers, had ever seen. The soldiers were the first and only American troops stationed in Bovey Tracey. Margaret and Jim were married in 1944 at the Bovey Tracey Parish Church. In 1946, she arrived in the United States on the Queen Mary to begin her new life.
Her daughter, Linda, was born in 1948 and daughter, Wendy, born in 1951 in Santa Monica. After living in Santa Monica and La Canada, CA; Jim and Margaret moved to Carpinteria in 1970. Margaret was involved in local organizations, becoming the past president of the Newcomers Club and the Carpinteria Republican Women's Club. They met many of their lifelong friends through the Carpinteria Lions Club where Jim continues to be an active member.
Margaret and Jim loved their many trips back to England to visit her hometown. In 2004, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with her family and relatives as well as a few close friends from Carpinteria. At this time, they featured on the BBC local news recognizing their return to Bovey Tracey for this wonderful event.
Margaret was an avid walker, enjoying long walks with her friends. Her other interests included gardening, bird watching, reading, and especially traveling in their motor home. Over the years, they visited 48 U.S. states and parts of Canada.
Margaret leaves her loving husband of 66 years, Jim, and her daughters Linda McCoy and Wendy Thurston; both of Washington. Her beloved grandchildren, John McCoy of Carpinteria and Emily Thompson of Washington will miss her dearly. She also leaves a brother Arthur Mann and sister Mary Drummond of England, and a brother Peter Mann of Carpinteria.
We want to thank Margaret's close friends and family members for their continued support and love during this journey. The family extends their gratitude to Maria, Myra and Holly from Hospice of Santa Barbara for their expertise, compassion and loving care over the past few months.
Donations can be made in Margaret's memory to Hospice of Santa Barbara, Lions Club of Carpinteria and HELP of Carpinteria.
In 1943, she met her future husband, American Army Sergeant Jim Ballard, while delivering milk to a local cafe. He was the first American Margaret, or any of the villagers, had ever seen. The soldiers were the first and only American troops stationed in Bovey Tracey. Margaret and Jim were married in 1944 at the Bovey Tracey Parish Church. In 1946, she arrived in the United States on the Queen Mary to begin her new life.
Her daughter, Linda, was born in 1948 and daughter, Wendy, born in 1951 in Santa Monica. After living in Santa Monica and La Canada, CA; Jim and Margaret moved to Carpinteria in 1970. Margaret was involved in local organizations, becoming the past president of the Newcomers Club and the Carpinteria Republican Women's Club. They met many of their lifelong friends through the Carpinteria Lions Club where Jim continues to be an active member.
Margaret and Jim loved their many trips back to England to visit her hometown. In 2004, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with her family and relatives as well as a few close friends from Carpinteria. At this time, they featured on the BBC local news recognizing their return to Bovey Tracey for this wonderful event.
Margaret was an avid walker, enjoying long walks with her friends. Her other interests included gardening, bird watching, reading, and especially traveling in their motor home. Over the years, they visited 48 U.S. states and parts of Canada.
Margaret leaves her loving husband of 66 years, Jim, and her daughters Linda McCoy and Wendy Thurston; both of Washington. Her beloved grandchildren, John McCoy of Carpinteria and Emily Thompson of Washington will miss her dearly. She also leaves a brother Arthur Mann and sister Mary Drummond of England, and a brother Peter Mann of Carpinteria.
We want to thank Margaret's close friends and family members for their continued support and love during this journey. The family extends their gratitude to Maria, Myra and Holly from Hospice of Santa Barbara for their expertise, compassion and loving care over the past few months.
Donations can be made in Margaret's memory to Hospice of Santa Barbara, Lions Club of Carpinteria and HELP of Carpinteria.
