Magdalena "Maggie" Beckwith

In Loving Memory of Magdalena “Maggie” Beckwith

It is with heavy hearts that we grieve the loss of Magdalena “Maggie” Beckwith, 74, of Santa Paula. Maggie went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Maggie was born in Jalpa, Zacatecas, and moved to Southern California at the age of four. Maggie survived both her parents; Dagerberto and Consuelo Magallanes. Maggie is survived by Gordon “Gordie” Beckwith, her beloved husband of 45 years; five Grandchildren, Alex and Andy Piedra and Kaylee, Cale, Cassi Adams; daughters, Lori Piedra and Traci Adams; siblings: Dagerberto Magallanes, Aurora Oszajca, Eugenia Magallanes, Sofia Gomez, Gloria Magallanes, Armando Magallanes, Patricia Sanchez, Anna Lucia Lamas; nine nieces; and eight nephews. Maggie graduated from Hueneme High School in 1969 and graduated from Ventura County Community College in 1972. Maggie worked for thirty years for Ventura County. Maggie worked for twenty-four years at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Communication Center as a 911 dispatcher and later supervisor.

Maggie touched the lives of many with her service to others, her love for cooking, entertaining, and travelling. Maggie’s vibrant personality won the hearts of many. She enjoyed golfing, visiting the Native American reservations, collecting art pieces, and taking care of her puppies and family. She was always giving of herself to everyone around her and made sure everyone was fed before she took her seat. Her humility, sense of humor, and fiery spirit will be deeply missed.

Above all, Maggie was loyal and dedicated to her family. Maggie will forever be an excellent daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Maggie’s life will be celebrated for the beautiful life she lived. Maggie’s resilience, perseverance, and strength in immigrating to a new country at a young age, despite the many obstacles she faced, are an enduring part of her legacy. Her courage, determination, and commitment shaped the life she achieved and inspired the relationships she built. 

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, September 23 at 12 pm at St. Sebastian Church, located at 235 N Ninth Street, Santa Paula. A graveside service will be held at Santa Paula Cemetery. Forever loved, forever remembered, and forever in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Maggie’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13