The university community mourns the loss of Margaret Casanova, wife of football coach and athletic director Len Casanova and a loyal fan of the Ducks who was considered the matriarch of the athletic department. She died Thursday, Feb. 26, at age 99.

She was born in Payette, Idaho, and attended the University of Idaho. Though not a big football fan before her marriage to Len, Margaret became deeply involved with all sports, especially Duck football. 

“She didn’t just know the players’ names,” said Herb Yamanaka, associate athletic director, “she really knew the players. And she remained fiercely loyal to the Ducks throughout her life, attending away games up until a few years ago and attending home games up until almost the end.”

"Margaret Casanova was an incredible friend and supporter of the University of Oregon and half of a duo that contributed so much to our institution’s history,” said interim President Scott Coltrane.  “Our community continues to benefit from her passion for helping students and supporting UO athletics. Her family’s generosity will live on and be remembered.  My deepest sympathies go out to her family and many friends.”

Her funeral will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eugene on a date to be announced, with arrangements by Musgrove Mortuary. A story on Margaret Casanova’s life appeared Feb. 28 in The Register-Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the Len Casanova Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.