Cover photo for Margaret Scialla's Obituary

1924 Margaret 2020

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Margaret Scialla

August 14, 1924 — April 23, 2020

Margaret Elizabeth Scialla was a courageous, outgoing, warm hearted soul. She was born on the 14th of August 1924 to British immigrant parents, Doreen and Herbert Whitfield. The family was living in Detroit Michigan, but moved around as the Great Depression deepened. In the early 1930’s her family moved to Colorado. Margaret had an older sister Jessie and a younger brother Edward. The Great Depression was a harsh and difficult time for the family, depriving them of every normal comfort. This cruel time period shaped Margaret’s character in so many ways. She became resilient, independent and very determined.

By the time Margaret was attending West High School, her family had expanded to three more siblings; brother Robert, and sisters Ruth and Carol. WWII erupted while she was in high school and many of the young men Margaret knew went into the war and never returned. This period in history also shaped her character and she always said how much she loved her country and President and Mrs. Roosevelt.

Her first job was with Mountain Bell Phone Company and she was very proud of her achievement as an operator. She made a difference in so many servicemen’s lives because she would talk to them as she put their calls through to their homes. Margaret was also very generous with her family and made certain that the younger siblings didn’t go without, as she, Jessie and Edward had. The ability to make money also allowed her to travel and traveling became one of her lifelong passions. She and sister Jessie took bus tours to Mexico, South Dakota and Mesa Verde. Very few young women did this in the 40’s. Later, she took her mother Doreen by plane to Los Angeles, where she saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time. The memory never left her.

Margaret’s happiest job was working at Bodefelt’s Cleaners at 3rd and Broadway, along with her sister Jessie. She met a variety of wonderful people, including a new friend named Dorys Doring, who encouraged her to dress up and go to fashion shows, the Denver Tea Room and dancing at Elitch’s ballroom. She always loved the fashions of the 40’s and 50’s. During this time, her brother Edward had joined the Marines and was stationed in Hawaii and China, where he befriended a young Italian-American Marine named Lindy Scialla. After Lindy was released from the Marines, he came through Denver to see Edward. It was in the living room of the Whitfield house that Lindy and Margaret met. Lindy has said he was always impressed with the letters Margaret sent her brother because they were so interesting. She was also a sports nut. He began to write to her and she replied.

Eventually, she and Lindy were married in Sept. 1950 at St. Joseph’s Church in Denver. Their first home was in Denver and their family began with son Paul and daughter Dianne. Then another life-changing experience occurred. Lindy and Margaret bought five acres in southeast Denver on open prairie and here Lindy began to build their new home. Margaret was a city girl. She knew how to drive, but she was used to public transportation and access to stores and cultural events. Now she was isolated with well water, tumbleweeds and mud. It was very daunting to make it all work. But that resiliency pulled her through because she had a family to take care of and that was always her first priority. Two more children, Michael and Nancy were born and German Shepherd Sam completed the family.

Margaret instilled in her family some of her personal passions. Travel and learning were important. She always drove her children to a public library. She took them to the mountains to see sister Jessie, swimming at Belleview Park and numerous excursions to Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, The Royal Gorge, and Southern California to see Lindy’s family. She created birthday parties for the family and attended all of their sports events, plays, concerts, fashion shows and lectures. She loved the holidays, especially Christmas and the Christmas decor expanded every year.

In her later years, Margaret was able to visit Hawaii twice, which she loved. She saw Disneyworld in Florida with her sisters and later visited Italy on two occasions with Lindy and Dianne. She was thrilled when grandsons Kylen, Brenden and Landon came along. Even though she had broken her hips by this time, she still attended numerous sporting events, birthday parties and ceremonies for her grandsons throughout the years.

The last several years were not easy for Margaret. She suffered more calamities with broken bones. But even in her 90’s Margaret remained interested in life. She was fascinated with Space Travel, went to I-max shows at the Science Museum and read constantly about inspirational people, Egyptology and the Moon landings. She wrote several book reviews for Koelbel Library. Margaret rejoiced in the new science of DNA testing and was thrilled to know that her ancestors had traveled far and wide to Russia, the Baltic sea and finally, England. She remained very close to her children and their spouses as well as her grandkids. She and Lindy almost made it to their 70th wedding anniversary.

Margaret’s life was about loyalty, honesty, a strong faith in the Divine and perseverance. Like Sir Winston Churchill, she never gave up, but her last fall on April 20th was too much for her. In the early morning hours of April 23rd, she went back to the stars. She is irreplaceable in our hearts.

Margaret is survived by husband Lindy, son Paul, daughter Dianne (Roy), son Michael (Nancy), daughter Nancy (Nancy) and Michael and Nancy’s sons Kylen, Brenden and Landon. She has three surviving siblings, Ruth, Robert and Carol. We ask you to donate either to Special Olympics or to the Denver Hospice Center at Lowry in Margaret’s name.

Guestbook Entries

Linda Tague Watson

These photos are a beautiful tribute to an AMAZING woman!!
Margaret, you will always, always be in my heart! ❤️ I miss your beautiful playful laugh & our conversations.
My prayers & love to the entire Scialla family.
God bless. ❤️

April 30th, 2020 at 12:21pm

Ginny Brannon

Mrs. Scialla, you were a rock to me when growing up. Thank you for your generous and loving spirit, which lives on forever in our hearts and in this space and time, which you continue to touch with grace.

April 30th, 2020 at 2:57pm

Ruth Harding

I will miss all of our good conversations and the stories we shared of our family history. You have always been there for me through good times and hard times. The photos bring back many good memories. I will always miss you but will remember the good times. Thank you for being in my life. Your sister, Ruth

April 30th, 2020 at 3:08pm

Audrey Williams-Kirk

Will always cherish the wonderful memories from all the fun things our families did together, our visits to each other’s homes and our day long excursions together to Colorado Springs and other local places. The picnics we shared, our gatherings at Villa Italia and Cinderella City. I am glad I also got to share our love of dolls in recent years. My heart goes out to you all with your loss. She was a sweet, beautiful lady and will be missed. Love you, Aunt Margaret.

April 30th, 2020 at 5:11pm

Lisa Shultz

Mrs. Scialla was always so kind and nice when I came over to play when I was a kid. She always had a cake made and was a wonderful cook. She will be missed and I send my love to her family.

April 30th, 2020 at 6:41pm

Dave Kirk

I will always remember all the fun we had at the parks and the creek in Kittredge!
and all the exploring at the first house on the Prairie, I will miss all the conversations
with Aunt Maggie! She will live on in my mind and heart!!!

April 30th, 2020 at 8:16pm

Susan Tsoupakis

So many wonderful memories Aunt Margaret. From childhood to adulthood.
Meeting at Elitches, going to the parks, all the trips we took to Colorado Springs.
Our nice little excursions to the Java Cafe in Evergreen. And sitting at the dining room table just chatting. Thank you Aunt Margaret for being there for my mom Jessie. I’m sure the Dollie Sisters are together again. I will miss you so much! You will always be alive in our memories.
My heart goes out to you Uncle Lindy and Dianne, Paul ,Nancy ,and Michael also Roy Nancy and Nancy. Kylen, Brenden and Landon. May God give you Peace.

April 30th, 2020 at 8:46pm

Sherry Whitfield Starkey

Aunt Maggie,
I will always remember staying with your family in the "sticks", so many good memories. It felt like you lived so far away. I think I-25 only had 2 lanes and it felt more like a drive from Denver to Co Springs back then, but it was just the tech center. I always looked forward to seeing you all. Aunt Maggie was so sweet and reminded me of Aunt Pete. Reading your last book of your life growing up in Denver, taking the busses all over to get to work. That was amazing what you had to do to get to work to help pay the bills.
I especially loved the muscle beach photos of my dad and Lindy, you and mom back in the marine days.
I'm so happy I knew you and spent the time we did as a family! Much loved to you all❤️

May 2nd, 2020 at 2:01pm

Dianne

I'd like to share with everyone the last meditation from Unity that my mother had with her when she passed. We taped it to her hospital bed.
This meditation is dated for April 23rd. It is entitled "Free".
"I freely choose where to place my energy today. Sometimes I may feel bound by my circumstances when there are family matters that demand my attention, individual goals to meet, obligations to satisfy and more.
How can I be free of the stress of juggling my many commitments? I cannot simply disregard my promises to others and to myself.
I remember that my work does not need to be done by me alone. I quiet my mind, ask, and patiently listen for the still, small voice and heed its guidance. I am empowered by Spirit within to make the best choices for the highest good of all. The gift of free will allows me to decide what to do and when to do it.
I take a deep breath, feel my oneness with Spirit and know that everything I need to do will get done. I feel a sense of freedom.

May 2nd, 2020 at 6:47pm

Rebekah Crisp

Margaret became a very special person in my life over the past year and a half. She shared her spark with me, and she inspired me to find my voice in ways to support others from an authentic and caring place. She was still learning about living the best life she could even in her mid-nineties. I hope I am as able to meet challenge, make new heart connections, and live my best life like she did. Margaret, enjoy the liberation and let the cosmic travels begin!

May 3rd, 2020 at 10:25am

Coleen Elliott

To a life well lived and adventures sought! ߍ» May you rest in peace, Aunt Margaret! �'-

May 4th, 2020 at 10:14pm

Dino Harbison

I didnt know her , but she is a Whitfield and they are wonderful people.

May 5th, 2020 at 6:19am

Carol Whitfield Harding

To my big sister Margaret, You , Jessie & Edward were such a big part of your “little” siblings lives. Thank You for being there for us. So many years. so many memories. Big dinners, big trips downtown to see the Xmas windows. Dancing in the living room to your records and wearing out the rug ! Raising our children together in later years. Picnics, Elitches, and moving your house !!!! Priceless memories !
May you be at peace and free from pain.

May 5th, 2020 at 6:52am

Maureen Whitfield

To Lindy and the Scialla Family,
My heartfelt condolences to you all. I have fond memories of Margaret. What stands out most was her gentle soul and her kindness. She lived a good life, was a great Mother, wife and from these stories a wonderful sister!
May the family find peace in knowing she is now out of pain and in peace.

May 5th, 2020 at 8:17am

Sal Martorano

A wonderful lady. She made everyone feel welcome and special. She will be missed my all.

May 9th, 2020 at 10:20am

Rob whitfield

I will always remember the support the family received
For Marg ,Jess and Ed As I grew up. When I went I went away to summer camp in Palmer lake and Granby they took a gray hound bus trip to see me a how I was doing marg was. especially very dedicated to her family. And would text me about her wonderful grand children I thank Nancy and Diane for helping her being able to communicate on her computer. It was fun sending her jokes and I'll miss very munch the responses she would send me. From the times we all shared in Morrison park on our neat family picnics and playing soft ball games there. To all the fun times we shared she will be special in my memories I will miss that special lady.

May 10th, 2020 at 8:52am

Ram and Padma Polepeddi

We had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Mrs. Margaret Scialla through her lovely daughter Dianne. Mrs. Scialla’s eyes would light up every time Dianne did her fashion shows and displays at Koelbel Library. We will very much miss her warmth, her friendliness, her genuine interest in cultures and her authenticity. The beauty of her spirit will live on.

May 20th, 2020 at 11:10pm

Nancy DeVita

I feel grateful and blessed to have known Marg for her last 15+ years. She showed a tenacious grip on life, living courageously while being generous, caring, smart, kind, appreciative, pray-full and playful. Marg had a big, open heart and could find the good and great in others. She was a friend and created a family for me here in Colorado. Marg will live always in my heart! My love goes out to all who knew Marg and loved her, especially her family. May her memories carry you all through the sadness….

May 25th, 2020 at 1:23pm

Jim, Karin, Heather and Heidi Hagenson

We were so blessed to be neighbors with the Scialla's for over 30 years. Margaret was like a mother and grandmother to our family, with a generous and gentle manner and we would often share stories about each other's families. She was always so thoughtful, kind and compassionate to everyone she encountered. Margaret had a strong and fighting spirit and always had a positive attitude, no matter what life had in store for her. We will cherish the times we had together and forever hold those memories close to our hearts.

August 18th, 2020 at 11:02am

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