1923 – 2025
Margot Dolores Sonnenberg Loeb was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1923. Margot “Oma” passed away at the age of 101 ½ on May 14th, 2025. During her last days among us, she was surrounded by her large extended family, her son, Dennis, her daughter-in-law Tracey, her 5 grandchildren, Jonah, Jacob, Joshua, Samantha and Sybella, her wonderful live-in companion, Kathleen and her beloved kitty, Bentley.
Margot, her parents, her brother Charles and sister Elenor, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the second world war, when Margot was 14, finding a new place to embrace as home. At the tender age of 14, Margot worked to help support her family while finishing her schooling. Margot married Ernst Loeb, a fellow refugee, in 1944. She became (and retired as) a special education teacher.
She supported her husband Ernst, as he pursued his education, eventually becoming a professor of German literature, while Margot expanded the family with the birth of Dennis (as she would say ‘such a beautiful baby’) and Karen, her beloved daughter, 6 years later, who completed her family. Eventually, the family landed in Seattle and set down roots. Wanderlust set in, and Margot and Ernst found themselves in Kingston, Canada, where they lived for many years, continuing their careers and becoming Canadian citizens.
After Ernst’s passing in 1987, Margot moved to Vashon in 1996 to be closer to her children that, by this time, had both moved to the Island. Unfortunately, Karen passed away in 2010, leaving a void in Margot’s heart.
Margot became an avid quilter, becoming active in the quilting community, including award winning participation in a number of Vashon quilt shows. She is quite the quilting legend!
Her irascible sense of humor, her unwavering guidance and quiet support, making everyone feel comfortable with her, her creativity and passion for art, her love of all animals will be missed by her surviving son, five grandchildren and their spouses, four great grandchildren, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews and extended family, and, of course, her surrogate daughter/live-in companion.
She was a remarkable woman and will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers please donate to VIPP in her honor.
