Margaret Ann Dale

Margaret Ann Dale was born in Detroit on October 28, 1924, but moved to Flat Rock, Michigan a few months after her birth. Her parents said she cried all the time while they were in Detroit, but after moving to Flat Rock, she was fine. She attended Flat Rock schools from kindergarten through high school. In the eighth grade she gave a speech titled ‘Why Unions are Important.’ Her teacher was Olga Madar, who was quite impressed by the talk of the young woman, and would later go on to be a vice president of the UAW. Madar regularly attended Margaret’s class reunions as a special guest and would often recall that speech.
After high school, she and her family moved back to Detroit where they owned and operated a restaurant on Vernor Highway. One of their patrons was a widower who asked if they had any bones he could have for his dog, Sparky. They didn’t that day, but Margaret subsequently set aside some goodies for the dog each day and, well, one thing led to another and she ended up marrying that man, the love of her life, John Dale, in 1953. And, she adopted Sparky, too, of course. She was a lifelong Detroit sports fan following the ups and downs of the Tigers and Red Wings, and Lions. Attending the Red Wings on New Year’s Eve was an annual event to celebrate her husband’s birthday. In the 1960’s she often herded her son and a bunch of the neighborhood kids, by herself, on the Fenkell bus to Tiger Stadium for a ‘Ladies’ Day’ game.
Margaret was a voracious reader and consistent patron of both the Linden and Fenton Libraries. As her eyesight diminished due to macular degeneration, she enjoyed literally thousands and thousands of audio books courtesy of the Braille and Talking Book Library—a wonderful service that filled the void left when she could no longer see well enough to read. An avid and knowledgeable gardener, Margaret especially enjoyed making beautiful arrangements of flowers she had grown. Active and sharp for all of her 98 years, Margaret died peacefully on September 23, 2023 in the home she had built with her husband in 1970.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Barbara Torok Krause; her husband, John M. Dale; step-son, David Dale; her brothers, George, Robert, and Fred. She is survived by her son John (Vallorie); a step-daughter-in-law, Pat; five step-grandchildren and their many descendants. The family wishes to thank all of the dedicated and generous caregivers who helped Margaret enjoy a full and comfortable life in her later years. Special thanks to Nurse Practitioner Katie of Landmark and to Lisa, manager of Silver Pine Home Care who, if you believe in angels on earth, she’s one of them. We also remember Rose, who assisted Margaret for nearly five years and treated her with all the care and love of a family member. If you wish, a donation in Margaret’s name to the Library of Michigan Foundation would be fitting. Graveside Services will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Sharp Cemetery in Deerfield Township. Arrangements provided by Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com