Margaret Ellen Berkley passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning, May 26, 2018, from complications related to a stroke. She was born in Van Wert, Ohio, on December 11, 1940, to Edith (Etts) and Basil Ainsworth along with her brothers Nolan and Bob Ainsworth and her sister Martha (Ainsworth) Bayshore.

Margaret adopted three children with her husband, Dave Bruce: Paul Wrenn Bruce, Jennifer Edith (Bruce) Brower, and John David Bruce. She enjoyed caring for her children, serving as den mother for the local Cub Scout chapter, and rooting for her children’s little league teams. She was an amazing cook, specializing in lasagna and cherry pie. Margaret raised her family and worked as a bank teller and Emergency Medical Technician in Pearland, Texas. She later remarried and moved to Mayfield, Kentucky, where she lived for 20 years until the death of her husband. She moved to Vashon Island, Washington to be near her youngest son, John. Margaret spent eight years on Vashon Island where she was a member of the Vashon Island United Methodist Church. Margaret was very social and loved visiting other members of the close knit community. Animal welfare was very close to her heart, and she adopted many dogs and cats throughout her life. Margaret recently moved to the Washington DC area with her son, John, and his partner Dale West. There she attended Faith United Methodist Church in Accokeek, Maryland.

Margaret is survived by her sister, Martha Bayshore and brother, Bob Ainsworth and her three children Paul and John Bruce and Jennifer (Bruce) Brower as well as her three grandchildren Jessica Murski, Michelle Murski and Danielle (Murski) Gudgel.

Per her wishes no service will be held. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution in Margaret’s name to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).