Margot Hessling, age 60, was not your average person. Margot did not define herself by the traditional roles of wife and mother. She transcended those definitions, yet excelled at them. She loved her husband and best friend, Jim Hessling, with all her heart. Margot and Jim met at the tender age of 17 years old.
She committed herself to being his partner, both in business and in raising kids. Together, Margot and Jim became successful Realtors, and ultimately started two businesses. Margot’s skill at writing, advertising and marketing propelled those businesses to success. Margot raised her children, son Robert Hessling age 35 and daughter Renee Hessling-Mortisen age 33, the same way she approached everything in her life – with commitment, vibrancy, and joy. She taught them that love is not just something you say, but something that you do.
Perhaps Margot is best known for her strength – not just physical strength, which she definitely had, but strength of spirit. She projected this strength in each day she lived. She had no patience for complaints or melancholy. Life was there to live, and she did it with grace and tenacity. Margot loved dance and movement. This love evolved into her successful career as a fitness instructor where she inspired hundreds of people to move their bodies. This movement was an act of celebration for Margot. In fact, everything that Margot did was a celebration of life, whether it was golfing, cooking, skiing, pouring over novels, or enjoying art. As Margot soaked in every ounce of life, she exuded that same contagious attitude. Because of her strength in spirit, Margot did not believe in quitting. It was not in her vocabulary. And even as the cancer ravaged her body, it never took her soul. She refused to quit fighting, even until her last breath.
She will be remembered forever as the best of the best by her loving family.
She leaves behind her husband, Jim Hessling. Her son, Robert Hessling and daughter in law, Lindsay Hessling, and their four children Henry Hessling, Maximilian Hessling, George Hessling and Ava Hessling. Her daughter Renee Hessling-Mortisen, and son-in-law, Derek Mortisen, and their son, Jasper Mortisen. As well as several other devoted family members.
Funeral Service to be held May 27, 2017 at 10:00am at LIMA-CAMPAGNA-JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME, 17720 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill, California 95037.
Interment to follow at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Santa Clara. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org).
