March 1, 1930 – October 4, 2025
Margaret Ruth Woodcock died peacefully at her home at Redwood R&R Care Home in Eureka California on October 4, 2025. She was 95 years old.
Born Margaret Ruth Denney to Lavern and Lucy Denney on March 1,1930 in Colfax, Washington. She grew up in the Carlotta area and moved around the western states as her father found jobs as a heavy equipment operator. Eventually the family settled in Eureka, California where she met William Knowland Woodcock (Bill) and subsequently married him on November 22, 1946.
Margaret, known to friends and family as “Peggy,” with her husband, Bill, embarked on a journey together for the next 74 years They built a home in Eureka, California where they raised their five children, Bill, Georgia, Bob, David and Ed, continuing to live there for 70 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, two sons, Bill and David, sisters Beverly McKnight, Joy Neiman, Pat Barstow, and brothers Stan, Jim, Leroy,and Delroy. She is survived by her daughter Georgia McMinn, two sons; Robert (Monty) Woodcock, Edward (Jeanette) Woodcock, brother, Bruce (Evie) Denney, six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Peggy was a quiet sole who while busy raising five children and supporting her husband always found time to help family and friends in need. As her “‘nest was emptying” she went to adult school, got her high school diploma and went to Beauty College. For several years She owned and operated a hair salon in Cutten, Ca. When she retired from the hair business she was able to dive into her passions for gardening, quilting, needle point and many other hobbies such as collecting stamps and even collecting baseball cards. She was an insatiable reader and loved science fiction. She was always up on the latest U.S Space Program events. She loved reading the Humboldt Historian and looked forward to each quarterly issue.
Her family is very thankful for the absolutely wonderful care that she received while residing at Redwood R&R Care Home.
Per Margaret’s request there will not be a memorial service. She was laid to rest next to her husband, Bill, and son, David, at Ocean View Cemetery in Eureka CA. Her wish was for any donations in memory of her be made to the Humboldt Historical Society.