Margaret A Gutkowski

MARGARET A. GUTKOWSKI, (nee Theobald), age 95, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2026. Loving wife of the late Leonard G. Gutkowski; loving mother of Lawrence (Judy), Susan Morilak (David), Kathleen Sherlock (Richard), Barbara Burant (Christopher) and Paul; son-in-law David Harasym; adoring grandmother of 12; cherished sister-in-law of Shirley Theobald; She was preceded in death by daughter, Jean Harasym; her parents, Marguerite E. Theobald and Leo F. Theobald, Sr.; sister, Clare Wilkins, and brother, Leo. F. Theobald, Jr.

Margaret was born in Lorain, Ohio. As a young girl, she grew up in the waves of Lake Erie. Her mother taught her to swim, and she spent countless hours enjoying the beach and water with her crew of cousins. All through her life, swimming was a constant. She was a member of Ohio U's Dolphin Club synchronized swim club in the early 1950's. Later, as a busy mother she made a commitment to swim deep water aerobics three times a week and only stopped at the ripe age of 89. She made sure all six of her kids knew how to swim.

Her passion for baseball began in the 1940's while following the stats of the greats like Bob Feller and Lou Boudreau (we think she had a crush on Lou). Her interest in Cleveland baseball spanned over 80 years.

Margaret came from a family of seamstresses and teachers. Her grandmother, Margaret Fowler, a seamstress, lived with young Marge's family and taught her to sew. Marge's mother taught grade school. A diligent student, Margaret attended Ohio University, receiving her bachelors in Home Economics. There, she also met her husband, Len, a music education major. They married in 1954. She taught Jr. High Home Economics for two years before leaving work to raise her growing family. She found a way to be home for her children while utilizing her talent of sewing. She started her bridal dress sewing business in the 1970's and business boomed just by word of mouth. She was an expert at drafting patterns and perfecting fit. Her lucrative business spanned over 20 years. She taught all her daughters to sew and they sewed well enough to create and sew their own wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses.

Volunteering was an important part of Marge's life. She was a paraprofessional at St. Anthony School in Parma, tutoring young students. Later in the 1990's, she became a family support facilitator for the Alzheimer's Association of Cleveland, helping families navigate caregiving of a family member with the disease. Eventually, she became a volunteer at Club Parma, which provided senior care for those with dementia. She did the work for the Alzheimer Assoc. in order to give back for the support she received when caregiving for her husband with dementia. She was a member of The Ohio University Women's Club & The American Sewing Guild.

For fun, she thoroughly enjoyed her bridge club, which consisted mostly of neighborhood friends, gathering once a month for snacks, a little neighborhood gossip and hopes for a great hand of cards. She adored her 12 grandkids and enjoyed baking for them. Her apple pies are deemed the best in the world.

Margaret was sharp, structured, and always punctual, but always had a wry one liner waiting that always produced a chuckle and spark of adoration for her keen sense of humor. Her family appreciates that all her caregivers at Sunrise of Parma Assisted Living gave her the best care, which made her feel especially at home and well loved.

Margaret’s advice for us all, when life seems hard, will forever be: “The first hundred years are the hardest.” 

Friends may call at LATEK & RYBICKI, A GOLDEN RULE FUNERAL HOME, 7906 BROADVIEW RD. (corner of Broadview and Sprague Rds.), where services will be held Thursday, November 5, at 9:15 AM, and at St. Anthony of Padua Church, State Rd., at 10:00 AM. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. VISITING HOURS: WEDNESDAY 5-7 PM.