Biography: Margaret P. James, 91, died Easter Sunday in Little Rock, AR. The eldest and last survivor of four sisters, she was married for 55 happy years to Wilfred P. James, who died in 1990. She and he were childhood sweethearts in Chicago, where they grew up. She got her Master’s in counseling and guidance and he his doctorate at Northwestern University; the couple then moved to California in 1952, where he became a department chair at California State University while she worked in the Long Beach School system, first as a counselor and then as Assistant Principal at Wilson, Millikan, and Lakewood High Schools. After they retired and moved to Irvine in 1980, they traveled frequently in the U.S. and abroad, trips Margaret enjoyed planning. Margaret was a talented writer, who wrote many professional manuals for the school district, and a beloved mentor of generations of high school students. She was a faithful member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir for 17 years. She brought joy and merriment to many people with her generosity and wit, and she was fortunate her whole life to be surrounded by loving, thoughtful friends, especially a neighbor, Kathy Koukl, who became a second daughter to her. She will be buried beside her husband in Pacific View Memorial Park She is survived by a daughter who lives in Arkansas, Bonnie Melchior, and a beloved son-in-law, William Melchior, Jr. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in May, for Memorial Service information, please email bonniem@uca.edu. Donations in her memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com