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, Dagoberto and Consuelo Magallanes. Maggie is survived by Gordon “Gordie” Beckwith, her beloved husband of 45 years; two stepdaughters, Lori Piedra and Traci Adams; five grandchildren, Alex and Andy Piedra and Kaylee, Cale, and Cassi Adams; siblings: Dagoberto Magallanes, Aurora Oszajca, Eugenia Magallanes, Sofia Gomez, Gloria Magallanes, Armando Magallanes, Patricia Sanchez, Ana Lucia Lamas; nine nieces: two of whom she helped raise, Lisa Creary and Sarah Gomez; and eight nephews. Maggie graduated from Hueneme High School in 1969 and Ventura Community College in 1972. Maggie worked for the County of Ventura for thirty years, including twenty-four years as a 911 Dispatcher and later as a dispatch supervisor for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Communications Center.

Maggie touched the lives of many with her service to others, her love for cooking, entertaining, and travelling. Maggie enjoyed golfing, Native American art, and taking care of her puppies and family. Maggie overcame all odds in coming to a new country at the age of four; her perseverance despite many obstacles, growing up in East Los Angeles, is an enduring part of her legacy. Maggie’s life experiences developed a true, honest compassion for the less fortunate. She was at the forefront, giving a helping hand, do nating to organizations whose goals were to make the world a better place. Maggie opened her home to family, becoming a mother to her nieces and protecting them. Life experiences taught Maggie to be a fighter for what is right. As her brother Dagoberto reflected, she was a real spitfire.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, September 23, 2026. A private viewing for close family and friends will be held a half hour before the service starts. The service will begin at 12:00 pm at St. Sebastian Church, located at 235 N. 9th Street, Santa Paula, followed by a graveside service that will be held at Santa Paula Cemetery.

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