Margaret M. Huntington

There are no greater occupations, no higher earthly calling, than simply being known as "Mother." Margaret Huntington was a wonderful woman, a devoted wife, loyal friend, and fun-loving lady. Yet most of all, she was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose greatest joys and accomplishments were reflected in her beloved family.

Margaret's story began on a warm summer day in 1923, in the little town of Coldwater, Michigan. Those were such exciting times in this country, as the Roaring 20s began to roar to the sounds of jazz and Big Bands, and Prohibition was the law of the land. There was much to celebrate for so many in 1923, especially for Frank and Mary Vroman, who celebrated the birth of a baby girl on June 25, a daughter they named Margaret.

Margaret was the sixth of eight children in the family's Coldwater home. Times were tough for Margaret growing up, as they were for so many Americans during the Great Depression. But by the time the dark skies of World War II had reached our shores, Margaret had grown into a beautiful, hardworking young woman, anxious to start a family of her own.

One evening Margaret attended a dance at one of the local halls, where she met a handsome young soldier named Harold "Red" Huntington, home on leave from the war. The sparks flew between them, and though he went back overseas, they stayed in contact and their romance blossomed through their letters to each other.

When Red returned home after the war, the couple wasted little time, and was soon married. The newlyweds moved to the charming little town of Vicksburg, Michigan, where Red ran a roofing company. His workers were always running in and out of the house, where they seldom went hungry! Margaret loved to cook, and was famous for her wonderful beef and noodles, and her mayonnaise cake.

It wasn't long before she had more mouths to cook for, too. Margaret and Red were blessed with three wonderful children over the years, first with son Doug, followed by Helen and David. Becoming a mother truly fulfilled Margaret's life, and made her feel as though she'd answered her calling. She deeply loved being a wife, mother, and homemaker.

In the 1960s, Red owned Paul's Drive-In Restaurant in Vicksburg, and Margaret would help out, kids in tow, and Helen particularly loved to help. For many years, Margaret and Red traveled to the St. Joe County Grange Fair, where they ran a flea market stand. Most of the time, Margaret was content to stay home and care for the kids, though, and was a bit of a homebody. Red built a cabin up north near the Hardy Dam, near Newaygo, where Margaret and her family had many good memories, but she loved being around her home most of all.

Margaret loved her home, and the Vicksburg community, too. She enjoyed her many wonderful neighbors and friends, who shared so many great memories with her and Red through the years.

Most of all, Margaret loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandkids were her pride and joy, and she adored having them over for sleepovers and spoiling them every chance she could. She loved to take them all out for ice cream, and never, ever missed any of their little league or softball games. The greatest days of her life were spent cheering her grandkids on to victory at whatever they did. When her great-grandchildren came along, she doted on them just the same.

Margaret had many other interests and hobbies, of course, and was an absolute Bingo fanatic. She played three or four times a week, usually at the Sprinkle Road VFW hall, or the Moose Lodge on Portage Road. She also enjoyed quiet times at home, sitting in her favorite chair, doing word searches, one of many simple pleasures she enjoyed.

Margaret was a fun-loving, casual person, who dressed casually, too. You'd usually find her dressed in slacks and minimal makeup. More than makeup, Margaret wore a smile on her face, with an easy laugh and a great sense of humor, and loved to joke with people.

Margaret experienced her share of sadness in life, first with the death of her grandson Mark in 1982. Her beloved husband Red died in 1992, and her son David died in 2003, as well. She took each of their deaths so hard, yet she kept her amazingly positive outlook on life, and was buoyed by her love for her whole family, who was there to support her.

After all, she was always there for them, no matter what. Births, graduations, weddings (she even wore a rare dress to her granddaughter Misty's wedding!), special events ... Margaret was there. She was also always there if they needed help, advice, or someone to talk to, as well.

Sadly, Margaret died at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers on Thursday, February 8, 2007.

Margaret was a wonderful, fun-loving woman, who led a wonderful life, a life full of love, friendship and most of all, family. She was a devoted wife and loyal friend to so many, yet most of all, she was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose life lives on in her children she cherished today. She will be so greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold "Red" Huntington, in 1992. Cremation has taken place and services will take place at a later date.

Members of Margaret's family include her son Doug and his wife Mimi Huntington of Vicksburg and her daughter Helen and her husband Art Shultz of Vicksburg, 6 grandchildren: Cherilynn, Brenda, Misty, Jodie, Emily and Amy, 6 great grandchildren: Travis, Brandon, Tyler, Brittney, Doug and Ryan and 2 step grandchildren: William and Christopher and 2 sisters: Pauline and Dorothy. Besides her husband, she follows in death her son David, a grandson Mark and 5 brothers and sisters.

Please visit Margaret's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read her Life Story, share a favorite memory or photo, or in lieu of flowers make a memorial donation to In House Hospice Solutions.