Margaret Leavitt

Margaret Leavitt lived a long and full life. From her humble beginnings in rural Clinton County, Michigan, she worked hard to earn an education, raise her family and enjoy the fruits of a good life. With education a top priority in her life, Margaret went on to become a dedicated teacher, who impacted thousands of young lives during her many years of teaching.

The year was 1918 and Woodrow Wilson had been elected to his second term in the Oval Office, Irving Berlin penned “God Bless America” and World War I was reaching its crescendo. In a rural community in Clinton County, Michigan, Charles Benona Morrill and his wife, Gertrude Belle (Holley), delighted in welcoming the birth of their daughter, Margaret Mae, on February 16, 1918. The third youngest of seven children, Margaret grew up in and around Ovid, where her father was a hardworking farmer while her mother was a busy homemaker. Tragically, her father died at a young age, leaving her mother alone to care and support her children. She soon went to work at a bean factory in Ovid, while the children also pitched in doing odd jobs where they could to earn extra money; Margaret cleaned houses and babysat.

With five brothers running around the house, Margaret endured her share of teasing from them, especially her brother, Gaylord. She was an excellent student and played basketball in high school. In fact, Margaret earned the nickname “Passin Peggy” from her fancy footwork out on the basketball court. After graduating from Ovid High School in 1936, Margaret pursued a teaching degree at Clinton County Normal School and graduated a year later.

While still in high school, Margaret met her future husband, George C. Leavitt, who was from Elsie (her rival school). They began dating and were happily married a year after Margaret started teaching on June 10, 1938. A few years later in 1941, Margaret and George, along with George’s parents, bought a farm in Washington Township, Gratiot County, Michigan and made their home here for 64 years. Being a city girl at heart, it took Margaret awhile to learn the ways of the farm, though she never really fell in love with the animals. While George worked full time operating a cash crop and livestock farming business, Margaret continued teaching, taking assignments at Cedar Lake School in Victor Township, Alma Middle School, as well as in village schools in Pompeii and Bannister. A very determined woman, Margaret also took night and Saturday classes for several years at Central Michigan University, where she earned her B.S. degree in Elementary Education in 1960.

Aside from her fulfilling teaching career, Margaret was a loving and devoted mother to her three wonderful children: Dale, Betty and Marilyn. During the summer months when school was out, the family picnicked often in roadside parks throughout the area – though always close enough to get home in time to milk the cows. Every Sunday, George would pick the place and Margaret would pack the lunches, and off they went to enjoy the afternoon together. When they could actually get away for a vacation, they stayed at a motel, but ate every meal in a park with the camp stove.

Margaret and George had a wonderful marriage. They lived, loved and laughed together for 64 years, taking great pride in the successes of their children and grandchildren. In their younger years, they enjoyed going dancing and having card parties with George’s “Rochester Colony” friends. Time together as a family was important to the couple, and Margaret always had a beaming smile on her face when spending time with her grandchildren. She also remained close with her siblings throughout her life, and enjoyed their family gatherings. Margaret eventually retired from teaching in 1973, and enjoyed spending more time knitting and doing some leisure reading.

Margaret was a woman of true character, with a love for teaching and learning, a love only exceeded by the passion she held for her family and grandchildren who she held so dear to her heart. She will be dearly missed.

Margaret Mae Leavitt passed away on Thursday, June 3, 2010, at the age of 92. Margaret is survived by her son, Dale Leavitt of Washington Township; two daughters, Betty Leavitt and Marilyn (Thomas) Irrer of St. Johns; daughter-in-law, Christine Leavitt of St. Johns; seven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren; one brother, Stanley (Jean) Morrill of Laingsburg; and many nieces, nephews and their families. Along with her husband, George, she was preceded in death by her four brothers, Clyde (Zetta), Clifton (Julia), Orley (Wilma) & Gaylord (Elaine) Morrill, and one sister, Mildred (Steven) Toth.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8, at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass Street, St. Johns, Michigan, burial will follow at Collier Cemetery with Pastor Kathy Leydorf officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 6, from 2-4 p.m. and Monday, June 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Salem U.M.C., 2307 W. Maple Rapids Rd., St. Johns, or Sparrow Clinton Hospital Foundation.

Please visit Margaret’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.