Obituary of Margot Kalin

Margot Ann Kalin, 89, of State College died at her home on March 22, 2014. Born May 30, 1924, in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Henry and Sophia Diamond. She was the youngest of three siblings, both her older sister Eleanor Rubin and her brother Buddy Diamond are deceased. She graduated from Penn State in 1944 with a BA degree in English. During college she was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority and continued on later as an advisor. After graduating, she joined the war effort by working as a journalist at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. On February 2, 1950 she married the love of her life, Sanford W. Kalin (Billy). Margot and Billy had 3 children: Leslie Kalin of Parrish, FL, Mindy Maguire, of Larkspur CO who is married to Donald Maguire, and Ned Kalin of Madison, WI who is married to Susan Kalin. We should also mention one other member of her nuclear family, her beloved bassett hound, Sam. She was fortunate to have, and get to know her 2 wonderful grandsons, Scott Kalin of Boulder, CO and Marc Kalin of Miami, FL. And she welcomed into her family her step-grandaughter, Mallory Maguire and her great granddaughter, Violet. She was a very involved Aunt and received much gratification from interacting with and providing wisdom to her numerous nieces and nephews. In 1972, her husband tragically died at an early age. Shortly after, she embarked on a career at People's National Bank. She began as a teller and worked her way up the ranks where she eventually became responsible for developing training procedures for all of the branch banks. She made many friends along the way including the women she dined with every Friday night at the Centre Hills Country Club and the much younger women in her water aerobics class. She retired from work at the age of 80 worrying about whether she would have enough to do to occupy her in retirement. She was an avid Penn State, and Joe Paterno, football fan. Remarkably she continued going to all the games until the age of 87, even in inclement weather. She thoroughly loved her home, gardening, and horses, a passion that she shared with her daughters Mindy and Leslie. She was an expert and taught classes on early American antiques. It was wonderful that she could be in her home in her later years, living there until the end of her life. While she had a tough struggle with her illness, she maintained her spirit and will to live, to the very end. The family thanks her housekeeper and dear friend Catherine Keith as well as her wonderful caregivers Bonnie Daye and Teresa Johnson. We are especially grateful to Dr. Gillard and Dr. Solic who not only gave her great medical care but also compassionately supported her soul when times were tough. A private graveside service and burial will be held at Centre County Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Lung Association, 3001 Old Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.