Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
Margaret “Margie” Ann Pruitt, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, died July 20, 2026, at the age of 80 after a year-long battle with gallbladder cancer. Married for 57 years to her loving husband, Lou Pruitt, she is also survived by her daughter, Katie Brill, of Worcester, MA; her son, Kevin Pruitt, of Martinez, CA; her son-in-law Todd Brill of Worcester, MA; her granddaughter, Charlotte Brill, of Clinton, MA; her grandson, Eric Brill, of Worcester, MA and her sister, Sheila Jeffry, of Oakley, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Edward and Margaret “Sis” Collins, and her brother, Robert Collins. Margie also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces and nephews she loved dearly.
Margie was born in Richmond, CA on December 17, 1945, and grew up in Martinez. She spoke often and proudly of the deep roots her family had in Martinez and of her idyllic childhood and teen years spent among the hills of the Alhambra Valley. Margie graduated from Alhambra High School in 1963. She graduated from Chico State in 1967 with a degree in English, and in 1968 with an Elementary Education teaching certificate. It was at Chico where Margie met her life-long love, Lou, and they were married August 23, 1969. Following college, she taught at Highlands Elementary in Concord, CA, until becoming a full-time mom to Katie and Kevin. Once they reached school age, she served for many years as a valuable substitute teacher and home teacher for the Martinez Unified School District. Margie also spent time working in the office at both Carondelet High School in Concord and the Contra Costa Community College District in Martinez.
Margie was an active member of Chapter GX of PEO, Pleasant Hill-Martinez AAUW, and Martinez Lady Lions, and took great pride in her community work with these organizations. She was a founding board member of Woodbridge Children’s Center and was a board member of the John Swett Elementary PTA and Alhambra High School Athletic Boosters while her children were in school. Many joyful hours were spent with friends walking, playing tennis, bridge, Bunco, Mexican Train, and mahjong. She leaves behind so many friends, both old and new, who will miss her presence profoundly.
Margie lived and departed her life surrounded by family and friends who were blessed to know and love her, and who will always remember her warm support and giving heart. She was a loving wife and mother, a fun and interested Nana, an amazing sister and aunt, and a steadfast and supportive friend.
Margie’s husband and children would like to thank Dr. Yubao Wang and his team at John Muir Health Oncology for the kind and loving care given this past year. Thanks also to the doctors, nurses and social workers at John Muir Hospital and the staff of Bruns House in Alamo for their tremendous care in the last week of Margie’s life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 10:30am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 199 Brandon Road, Pleasant Hill, CA. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather for a reception immediately following the service from 12-3PM at Zio Fraedo’s, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA. Private family interment.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice East Bay, Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA or to a charity close to your heart.
