Author: Margaret L. Lial
Alternate names: Margaret Lial; Margaret E. Lial
Born: 22 March 1927
Died: 16 March 2012
Bio: Margaret L. (Marge) Lial, born in Sacramento, California, was a dedicated teacher and accomplished college math textbook author. Marge was a Sac High Grad (Class of '45) and remained an active member of the Sac High reunion committee. She attended Sacramento City College, then UC Berkeley before leaving school to marry McClatchy grad Ed Lial. Marge loved to travel, especially to archaeological digs, and visited four continents and countless countries over the course of her life. Marge enjoyed and supported the arts, the Sacramento Kings, a Campus Commons wine group, and developed many wonderful friendships in everything she did.

Marge's passion for math started by the first grade. She earned a Masters in Mathematics Education at Sacramento State College while raising three young children. After graduating, Marge became a teacher so she could be in school forever. She started teaching at the high school level, but soon took a job at American River College in Sacramento, California, where she taught for 25 years. Early in her career, a colleague asked her to co-author a math textbook. She went on to publish over thirty textbooks, becoming a leading academic author and savvy businesswoman. The Lial series became the gold standard in Math education. She was active in the field and developed many lifelong friendships. She was mentor to many, especially young women math writers.

Source: [Legacy.com](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sacbee/name/margaret-lial-obituary?id=11665289)