Margot Kuzma

Margot Kuzma woke up in heaven on Friday, May 29, 2015 at home in Moorpark, CA

Margot is survived by her husband Paul Peter Kuzma of Moorpark, her four children, Patty (Gary) Adams, of Royse City, TX, Paul (Colleen) Kuzma, April (Tom) McGuire, and Steve Kuzma, of Simi Valley, CA, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by one grandson, Joshua (1981) and her son, Leroy (1994).

Margot was born on December 27, 1933 in Magdeburg, Germany, to parents Margarete Gertrud Badewitz and Walter Anton. She married US Airman Paul Peter Kuzma in Germany on November 12, 1963, immigrating to the US in 1964. They lived in South Dakota, moving to Michigan in 1968 (where she was proud to become a US citizen on June 25, 1973), Texas in 1975, California in 1979, back to South Dakota in 1987, back to California in 1993, Hawaii 1998, back to Texas in 2004, and back to California again in 2012. Margot’s kids affectionately refer to her as our “family gypsy”, as she made major cross country moves every few years. We often wondered how much this was influenced by having been born in East Germany during Hitler’s reign, having been bombed out of two homes during childhood, spending three days in a concentration camp with her family due to her father’s refusal to join the Nazi Party, and escaping from East to West Germany with friends. It was their second attempt, during which they were shot at, with one of her friends being hit and dying of his injuries. Having been a prominent High School swimmer, it was appropriate that they escaped by swimming through a river.

Margot loved Jesus and people, quick to befriend anyone near her. When living in California, she was proud to call NewHeart Foursquare Church in Simi Valley her church family, where her son, Paul, served as a Pastor for over 29 years, until March 1, 2015. She drew joy from her kids and grandkids.

She loved serving others, working as a Elderly Caregiver throughout her career, sometimes working in clients homes, while at other times filling her home with clients. She retired in 2004.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at 11:00 am at NewHeart Foursquare Church in Simi Valley with a reception to follow. Pastor Paul Kuzma will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Margot’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to cover Margot’s memorial expenses.