Margaret Emogene Gates Bassford, “Monty”, 87 of Waldorf, MD passed away
peacefully on September 23, 2020 in Waldorf, MD. She was born on
December 3, 1932 in Landover, MD to the late Evelyn Estelle Simmons Gates
and Irving Guy Gates. She is preceded in death by her eldest son George
Walter Bassford (“Sonny”), as well as her grandson George Walter Bassford
(“Little Sonny”). She is survived by her children Margaret (“Sissy”) Bassford,
Vicky D’Onofrio, David Bassford, Gary Bassford and Debbie Lucente;
grandchildren Stephen Bassford, Angela Bassford, Justin Bassford, Jennifer
Bassford, Jeffrey Bassford, Bruce Robey and Joseph Lucente; seven great
grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.
Margaret was married at a young age to the late George Walter Bassford
(“Sonny”) and had six children. She not only raised six children, but also
provided child daycare service in her home with anywhere from six to ten
children at a time. She never wanted to learn to drive but she knew how to get
anywhere and was your co-pilot. She was a great home cook and was known
for her potato salad; and made her children their favorite birthday cake and
dinner. It was amazing how she could go school shopping the day before
school started and find clothes, shoes and supplies for all six of her children,
shop the day before Easter and fill up six Easter baskets, and shop on Christmas
Eve and would then stay up all night wrapping gifts and making six piles
of presents, set up and decorate the tree. She loved Easter, Christ-mas and
Halloween, probably because she, too, got to be a kid again; not to mention
she was a chocolate lover.
She was also a coffee, animal, country music and bird lover. Her favorite bird
was the Cardinal and would display her collected Cardinals throughout her
home among her collection of wind chimes and prisms. The sun would come
through her windows and cast rainbows throughout the rooms. Her favorite
color was cobalt blue and she loved lilacs and flowered comforter sets. She
loved to go to Ocean City, MD with her daughters and grandchildren, stroll the
Boardwalk and eat at her favorite places.
Mom was very outspoken and the last five years of her life dementia would
take away her filter on what not to say. The nurses and aides at Genesis
Waldorf Center knew and loved her and would tease her knowing she was
going to win that one. If she ever offended anyone just remember that with
forgiveness comes peace. In her early days she wasn’t one to be easy to
forgive, but with her dementia she was or it was just forgotten the next day;
especially if you came in with donuts and coffee.
Months into the CV-19 virus, window visits were allowed at Genesis. We
placed and filled three bird feeders in front of her window. We would walk up
to her window and the birds and squirrels would fly away so we could visit.
Genesis grounds are surrounded by trees marked by blotches of Cardinals and
you can hear Blue Jays screeching their sounds.
On the day of her passing we were able to hug, hold her hand, kiss, talk and
whisper in her ear, touch her hair and face, and lay our heads on her hands and
lap. We were not rushed and at the end of our final goodbye to Mom we
mentioned where are her beloved Cardinals. No Cardinals or any other bird at
her feeders. Then one by one four female Cardinals began to appear on the
feeders and the ground, as well as one Marsh Wren. We noticed no bright red
male Cardinals. Minutes later HE arrived at the top of a tall, dark green pine
tree centered right in the middle of her window. We said HE has arrived to
take HIS friend home. HE sat up and plumped HIS chest out, turned HIS head
side to side and looked so majestic. We are sure if Mom could speak she
would have said, “HE is here to take me to Heaven.” And HE said “Do not
fear for I am with you. Do not be afraid for I am your God.” (Isaiah 41
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18