Ms. Margaret K. Arenas of Sanger passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022, one day after her 91 ^st birthday.

She was born in Parlier, California and was the youngest of eight children. She was raised by all of her siblings, but primarily by her older sister, Mary, after their mother's unexpected passing.

During World War II, the Arenas family worked and lived on a ranch in Parlier. When the owner of the ranch, and his family, were forcibly relocated to a Japanese internment camp, they entrusted Margaret's brother John to care for their ranch. The Arenas family treated it as their own until the family's release; later they would have their own ranch in Sanger, which the siblings all helped operate and was a special place for family to gather every Sunday.

Margaret graduated from Parlier High School and attended Fresno State College, earning her degree in Education. She began her teaching career as one of three teachers at a small school in the Tivy Valley School District.  She was the first Latina teacher at Tivy Valley.  She subsequently applied for a teaching position at the Parlier Unified School District.  She was the first Latina elementary school teacher and later became the first Latina principal hired by the school district. Eventually, she opened a preschool in Sanger – The Learning Corner – where many children, including her great- nephews and nieces attended. The Learning Corner was her pride and joy, and we have many fond memories of those days and of all of the people who worked alongside her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers and sisters.  She is survived by her nephews Richard and Joe; 2 nieces, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Wallin Funeral Home in Sanger on Sunday, October 30th from 4:00PM to 6:00PM with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 5:00PM.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 31st at 10:00AM at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Sanger, CA followed by  interment at Sanger Cemetery and a reception to follow in Sanger.