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Ann Margolis

Ann Margolis of Saratoga, 87, died on May 14.

Margolis was born Tatyana Ersonof in the Russian immigrant community of Harbin, China. Her first language was Russian. She learned English at age 5 when she arrived in San Francisco, where she lived for several decades.

When she was in high school, she met and began dating Harry Margolis. The two were married, and Harry worked and attended law school while Margolis worked as a beautician to help pay the bills. She attended San Francisco State University.

The couple later moved to Larkspur and started their family. They had three children, Mara and twins Carole and Diane. In 1950, they moved to Saratoga to a larger home owned by Walter and Margaret Seagraves, who became friends. They lived in the house for 55 years, beside what was then a two-lane road with no stoplights for miles.

Margolis was a mother and scout leader. For awhile she sold UNICEF Christmas cards, which grew into a small business. She occasionally took drawing classes at San José State University. When her children left home, she pursued her art, along with her interest in the American Civil War, Russian history and politics. In 1986, her art was selected to be part of an exhibition of new artists at the Museum of Modern Art in San Jose.

Margolis is survived by her three children and two grandchildren. A gathering of friends will take place on June 25. The family can be contacted at maramar3@hot mail.com.