Former Felton resident Margot A. Sekkel died May 23 in Capitola at the age of 92 with her family and friends by her side.
Born in Nuremberg, Germany, she was the daughter of Siegfried and Gertraud Astruck. The family left Germany for Switzerland so that her brother, Gerry, would not be lost in the impending war. Her father had lost two brothers in World War I, and he later became one of the few people released from the Dachau concentration camp before World War II started in 1939.
The whole family escaped through Switzerland to England. They survived the London Blitz bombings by Germany, and in 1941, they followed her mother’s brother to Lima, Peru, to start over. Her mother died two years after their arrival in Peru.
In 1944, after her father had found success as proprietor of a plastics firm in Peru, he sent Margot on vacation to Mar de Plata, Argentina, a seaside gambling resort. She met her future husband, Archie Sekkel, in a hotel lobby, and they were engaged within two days.
They lived in Argentina until 1954, when they moved to the United States and settled in Southern California with their 8-year-old son, Ron. Mrs. Sekkel worked for Hunt’s Foods and Beckman’s Instruments. Eighteen years later, they retired to Munich, Germany. Mr. Sekkel died in 1974. In 2001, Mrs. Sekkel returned to the United States to be near her son and daughter-in-law.
Her interests included enjoying opera, reading, having tea with friends and traveling.
She is survived by her son, Ronald P. Sekkel, and his wife, Cynthia, of Felton; cousins in Peru and England; and many friends.
A celebration of Mrs. Sekkel’s life for friends and family is planned at Dominican Oaks Retirement Home. Burial will be private in Felton District Cemetery, alongside her husband. An online guest book is available at www.pacificgardenschapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Sekkel’s name may be sent to the Dominican Hospital Foundation for the Mobile Van, 1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95065; or to the Santa Cruz County Symphony, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
