Marguerite Davis, a lifelong resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on February 7, 2003 at a local care center. She was 83.
Marguerite was born in Sedro-Woolley on December 12, 1919, to Louis and Zelma Eller Jones. She was raised in Sedro-Woolley and graduated with the class of 1937 from Sedro-Woolley High School.
In 1940 she married Maurice Davis and they continued to live in Sedro-Woolley where they raised their five children. When her youngest child started kindergarten, Marguerite enrolled in the nursing program at Skagit Valley College. She received her A.A. degree in Nursing in 1963. She worked as a geriatric nurse at Northern State Hospital until it closed in 1973. She then worked at the Morgan Center in Bremerton, commuting home to Sedro-Woolley each weekend, until she retired in 1984.
Marguerite’s life was characterized by her giving nature and concern for others. With her generous heart and ready smile, she was always willing to offer a helping hand, a listening ear, or a cup of coffee around the kitchen table. She lived out her Christian faith in word and in deed and touched the lives of so many. As a policeman and volunteer firefighter, her husband Maurice met many people in distressed situations and he often brought home stranded motorists, or homeless, abused, or neglected people. Marguerite welcomed all into their home with food, clothes, and even a place to stay until they could be on their own.
Mrs. Davis cherished her role as a mother and was involved in her children’s activities. When her children were young she was a Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and PTA member and officer. She was always in the front row for every musical performance or sporting event in which her children participated, and still found time to bake bread, maintain a garden, preserve most of the family’s fruits and vegetables, and sew clothes for her kids. Her children’s friends were always welcome at the Davis home and the house seemed to be constantly filled with family, friends, good food on the table, love, and laughter. Marguerite enjoyed hunting and fishing with her husband until his death in 1969. She also enjoyed camping, clamming, and most of all, picnics. On a sunny day she would call friends and family together for a picnic, either in her backyard or a local park. She was a great cook and had the amazing ability to prepare a meal for five people or for fifty, with ease.
A much-loved role in Marguerite’s life was that of being a grandmother. She delighted in spoiling each new grandchild that was added to the family. A visit to Grandma’s house meant lots of hugs, warm cinnamon rolls, picking raspberries in the garden, and more hugs. Her eleven grandchildren, along with her own five children, were the joy of her life.
Marguerite was also active in church and community organizations. She was a life-long member of Cascade Christian Church where she was a song leader and choir member. She was an officer for the Skagit County Retired Public Employees and was a member of the Concerned Citizens for UGH. She served on the election board and was also a precinct committee chairperson. She enjoyed the activities at the Sedro-Woolley Senior Center. She also enjoyed traveling with her friends after she retired.
In 1996 Marguerite was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but she faced this battle with her usual courage, faith, and sense of humor. With the help of her children, relatives, friends, neighbors, and hired caregivers, she was able to remain in her home in Sedro-Woolley until January of 2000. She moved first to HomePlace Special Care Center in Burlington, and then to San Juan Care Center in Anacortes. Marguerite’s family is deeply grateful to all of those who provided care, visited, sent cards, and supported the family with prayers and well-wishes during her extended illness.
In addition to her husband Maurice, Marguerite was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Lloyd Harmon, and her sister, Marie Jones Spurling.
She is survived by her five children and their families: daughter Margery and husband Dan Bennett of Anacortes, and Margery’s children David and Angela Brittingham; son Chuck Davis and his wife Catherine of Samish Island and their children Peter, Lane, and Allison Davis; son Norm Davis and his wife Beverly of Seattle, and Norm’s children Carolyn, Anne, and Jana Davis; daughter Marilyn and her husband Bill Schwartz of Bellingham, and their children Nate Schwartz wife Heather, Katy Erickson husband Mark and Kirsten Schwartz; daughter Marlene and her husband Randy Swenson of Samish Island; her two brothers: Herbert Jones and his wife Alma of Mount Vernon, and Marv Harmon and his wife Doris of Ellensburg; sister-in-law Maudie Davis of Oak Harbor, and numerous nieces and nephews that she dearly loved.
A celebration of Marguerite’s life will be held at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley on Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 2 PM. After the service she will be laid to rest at Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. A social time and meal will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center.
The family suggests memorials to the Cascade Christian Church, 534 Township St., Sedro-Woolley, or to a favorite charity. Share thoughts and memories of Marguerite and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com