Margaret Mead passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026, one week after celebrating her 87th birthday. Margaret spent her later years at Samarkand Healthcare Center, where she was cared for with kindness and compassion.

Margaret is survived by several nieces and two nephews. Her family, close friends in Santa Barbara, and the staff at Samarkand will remember her with great affection and admiration.

A trailblazer in aviation, Margaret built an extraordinary career marked by passion, skill and determination. She earned her Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license and began her career as a flight instructor, sharing her love of flying with others. She later worked for Learjet as an aircraft broker, where she developed deep expertise in the industry before founding her own successful jet brokerage company.

Margaret was an accomplished pilot who achieved national recognition, winning several women’s air races across the country. She was also an active and proud member of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots, where she found both community and purpose among fellow aviators.

Beyond aviation, Margaret embraced life with curiosity and enthusiasm. She had a keen interest in real estate, enjoyed the tranquility of fly fishing, and cherished traveling the world, always seeking new experiences and perspectives.

Margaret will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, independence, and the remarkable life she built both in the skies and on the ground. Her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched and inspired.