Margaret Mary Campbell passed away peacefully at age 96, Thursday, December 21st, 2015. Margaret was born in Seattle on January 23rd, 1919 to Osco and Mary Margaret Bulle. Margaret was married to her one and only sweetheart, George J. Campbell, for 62 years prior to his passing in 1998.
Margaret is survived by her son-in-law Michael M. Malan (his spouse Margie Malan), grandson Todd M. Malan (his partner David DeSantis), granddaughter Michelle Malan Harmon (her spouse Gregg Harmon), great grandson Thomas Campbell Welch and great granddaughter Gwyneth Carren Welch, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and many other friends and loved ones that were also her family.
Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Osco Jr. and Dwight, her beloved George, her son Terry and her daughter Carren Campbell Malan.
Margaret was an amazing person having endured in her long life many ups and downs, but persevered with great faith and endurance. Among many life accomplishments, she was a doting wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and family was very important to her. She was a dedicated member of Lake City Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, serving the church and dedicating time and service towards serving God and those in need. As well as being an accomplished home maker, she also helped found and run the Lake City Sporting Goods store with her husband and later in life took a job at Boeing working as a clerk. Margaret loved cooking, flower arranging, fishing, water sports, art and crafts, and spending time with family and friends. Margaret grew up in the depths of the Great Depression and spent her formative years on a farm outside Olympia, Washington. It was there that she learned to “make do” with what God had provided from the land and what could be created by hard work. She and her brothers would dig for clams, forage for crab, raised chickens and rabbits to make it through the tough times. It was this early experience that made her final years “on the farm” with her wonderful caretakers Tracy Woods and Hope Perkins all the more a homecoming. In her last two years, she always talked about the loving care she received, memorable interactions with Tracy and Hopes’ animals and the shenanigans she shared with them. Margaret loved all animals and especially dogs. Her many dogs through the years including Mack her Collie dog when she was a young girl, Fritzy and Heidi her Schnauzers who had many litters of pups including Boo her deaf dog, Annie another Schnauzer given to her and George on their 60 wedding anniversary, and finally DeDe the elderly rescue terrier she saved and then pampered. No doubt Margaret adored her pets and they gave her great comfort.
Magaret was always giving of her time to others in need: she volunteered through the years for many programs including testing hearing impaired newborns at NW hospital, NW Center for the Disabled, many programs through her church including trips to migrant camps in Eastern Washington with the Youth Group where she was head Chef for the whole group, as well as volunteering well into her 90’s for HIP (Hunger Intervention Program) preparing and serving meals for the homeless.
Margaret was a loving and giving friend and neighbor and touched countless lives’ in meaningful ways throughout her 96 years. We will all miss her immensely – that broad smile, that mischievous glimmer in her eye, her fun whit and occasionally a brutally honest opinion. We are certain she has had a beautiful reunion in heaven with her family and friends that have passed on before her.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 16th, 2016 at Lake City Presbyterian church at 3841 – NE 123rd Seattle. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to the Hunger Intervention Program or the Youth Program at Lake City Presbyterian church at the above mentioned address.