At 103, Margarita's love of animals will live on

Her legacy reflects a life of compassion. Yours can, too.

 

Give Monthly Dear aze,  At 103 years old, Margarita Kjerbol has lived through a century of big changes. Her life and legacy reflect what has always remained: her profound love for animals.  Born Margarita Belzig von Kreutz, she spent her early years in Russia and Europe, witnessing the upheaval of World War II. Her beloved childhood dog, Patapouf, brought comfort, loyalty and love, even in the hardest moments.  As she built a new life in Venezuela years later, she met and married Georg Kjerbol, a Danish civil engineer whose very first gift to her was a dog named Douchka.  Douchka was a beloved companion and always by Margarita's side, accompanying the family on their move to Seattle in 1961. This loyal friend helped her navigate the joys and challenges of life in a new country.  After Douchka passed, Margarita never stopped finding joy in caring for animals. She quickly befriended the pets of neighbors and loved ones, sharing:  "The genuine love and joy shown by happy pets cannot be compared. People often go through tough times and emotions, but pets so often show their love and basic sense to comfort and cheer us up again."  This profound bond between people and animals inspired Margarita to think about the future, including the future of animals who will need care long after she is gone. That’s why she chose to include Seattle Humane as a beneficiary in her will.  Like Margarita, you can create a will that reflects your enduring love for the people and animals in your life. It only takes 20 minutes and is completely free with our trusted partner, FreeWill. You can choose loving guardians for your pets, outline their care needs and make a lasting impact for animals in our community.