Margaret Ann Hamel, age 93, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at her residence at the Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Woolley, Washington with her family at her side.
Margaret was born Margaret Ann Westphall on January 6, 1916 in Burlington, Washington to Lloyd and May Hancock Westphall.
Margaret grew up in West Mount Vernon where she attended school and after graduation from Mount Vernon High School in 1934, she attended Skagit Business School and later worked at the Skagit Valley Herald.
She met and married the ‘love of her life’ Joe Hamel on August 25, 1940 in Anacortes and they made their home in Sedro-Woolley. She and Joe owned and operated Hamel Pontiac in Sedro-Woolley for many years. Joe passed away on May 6, 1974. Margaret continued to live in the house on Rhodes Rd until 2003, when she moved to Country Meadows.
Margaret liked nothing better than to open her home to friends and family, she would always find something to serve them. She was known as the recipe lady or the cookie lady. If you needed a recipe and couldn’t find it–call Margaret. Margaret was a very generous lady. She made countless afghans and gave them away. She was also generous with her time. Margaret worked the gift nook at United General Hospital for 35 years and has been a member of the Guild for many years. She was an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley assisting at numerous functions and helping at funerals. Margaret was an avid member of the Concerned Citizens for United General Hospital and served many hours on the Election Board. Margaret was also a member of the George Baldridge Post #43 American Legion Auxiliary and was an active volunteer for the Sedro-Woolley Museum.
Margaret made friends easily and was proud of keeping them forever. When she moved to Country Meadows many of these same friends were there or came later. She leaves behind many special friends-Jessie Miller and Jan Mahaffie to name a couple.
Margaret is survived by her two sons; Mike Hamel and his wife, Mary of Camano Island and Steve Hamel and his wife, Adelle of Anacortes. Six grandchildren, Jeff Hamel and his wife, Renee of Milton, KellyHamel Johnson and her husband, Leif of Bellingham, Lynda Pappas Goodsell and her husband, Gordon of Bonney Lake, Keith Pappas and his wife, Kristen of Camano Island, Regan Hamel Robertson and her husband, Rusty of Big Lake, and Dani Hamel of Sedro-Woolley. Nine great-grandchildren, Zachery Goodsell, William Molnar, Joshua Goodsell,
Bailey Molnar, Amanda Hamel, Marcus Hamel, Riley Pappas, Hayden Pappas, and Rylanne Robertson. Her brother, Lloyd K. Bill Westphall and his wife, Dee of Mount Vernon and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe, a son Tommy at age 3 months, and a sister Tommie Foss.
So Mom, Grandma, and Gandy, the time has come to say goodbye, but memories last forever. You taught us well, now you can rest.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley with Father James Dalton as Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with a reception to follow at the church parish hall.
Memorials are suggested to the Heart Fund, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Building Fund, or United General Hospital. Arrangements and Services are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
