Margaret Dargahi

Margaret Mary Dargahi, born Margaret Mary Eckel on April 8, 1935, in Columbus, Ohio, lived a remarkable life defined by service, compassion, adventure, and devotion to her family.

Margaret grew up in Perrysburg, Ohio, and graduated from Perrysburg High School. Following graduation, she answered the call to serve her country by enlisting in the United States Army during the Korean War. She trained at Fort Sam Houston in Texas as a Medical Technician and proudly served her country, earning the National Defense Service Medal. Her military service eventually took her to Fort Ord, California, where she was honorably discharged.

It was in California that Margaret met her future husband, Abbas Dargahi. The two married and began a family, raising three sons, Kamran, Kaveh, and Ali. Their family's journey took them from Los Angeles to Tehran, Iran, where Margaret embraced a new culture and found meaningful work as an English instructor. She taught English to Iranian Air Force pilots who would travel to Texas for flight training on American-made aircraft.

In the mid-1970s, Margaret returned to Toledo, Ohio, where she found what would become one of the most meaningful chapters of her professional life. She began working for Lott Industries, helping adults with developmental disabilities and others facing barriers to employment. Margaret brought compassion, patience, and dedication to her work and continued serving others there until her retirement, well into her 70s.

After retirement, Margaret enjoyed traveling abroad, experiencing different cultures, and, most of all, spending time with her family. Her life was one of courage and curiosity-from serving her country as a young woman, to living overseas, to dedicating decades to helping others find purpose and opportunity.

Margaret will be remembered for her strength, independence, generous spirit, and unwavering love for her family. She is survived by her three sons, Kamran, Kaveh, and Ali, along with her extended family and the many people whose lives she touched throughout her extraordinary journey.

Her legacy lives on in the family she loved, the people she served, and the countless lives made better by her kindness and dedication.