AUGUST 6, 2014

Obituary – Margot Janice Wittenberg

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margot wittenbergAfter a long eight year war with cancer, Margot Wittenberg finally succumbed to the dreaded disease this past Sunday, July 27, at 19:36 Hours which is the same as the year of her birth at her home in Carefree at the age of 78. She is survived by her husband, Captain Russ Wittenberg, 77.

Margot was born in Austin, Illinois on May 27, 1936. Both of her parents (Dr. A. Fred Kabana and Margaret Forelich Kabana) were pioneer chiropractors in the Chicago Loop area in the late 30s and early 40s. At age 8, Margot's family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida where she graduated from St. Pete High with honors. She then attended and graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Design. It was there she first met her husband to be, Russ. Soon after graduation, she started a "new way of life" becoming as stewardess with Pan American World Airways where she traveled the world doing the things she loved – travel.

Margot and Russ were married on December 2, 1961. Russ, who by that time was a First Lt. Rated Pilot in the USAF during the Vietnam era, also participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Margot was active in social and political events her whole life. She founded and was the first President of the Miami Snow Ski Club. She later founded her very own Florida Alpine Ski Club in which she booked high end ski trips all over the world. She and her husband helped to found the Dade County Republican Party. In May of 1978, the Wittenbergs moved to their present home in Carefree where Margot founded the Carefree Republican Woman's Club. In 1992 and 2000, the Wittenbergs were the Arizona State Chairman for Patrick J. Buchanan for President.

Russ eventually left the service (circa 1964) and became a Captain for both Pan American World Airways and United Airlines. In 1984, Russ was on the First Carefree Town Council when he and Margot designed the Carefree Town Seal in use today.

Celebration of life service will be held at the Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary (480-502-3378), 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2014. The family requests no flowers.

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