Margaret Mary Greenough

Margaret Mary Greenough was born Oct. 12th 1922 in a little house in the woods of Port Orchard, WA to John E. and Elizabeth M. Halverson. Margaret passed peacefully into her Savior’s arms on Sept. 6th 2014 at Memorial Hospital.

Margaret’s early years on the farm shaped the beautiful and caring woman she was to become. She attended Wildwood Elementary, a one-room schoolhouse in the woods a mile from her home, and graduated from North Kitsap High School. Living on the farm Margaret followed her dad around watching and helping him as he tended to the livestock and the property. She watched as her father transformed their small one room home to include several rooms, a porch, running water, and eventually a bathroom. After graduating from high school Margaret attended Success Business College in Seattle while living with a couple, where she did light chores in exchange for board and room. Upon graduation she worked as an office secretary for Martin furniture in Bremerton, WA. It was at this time that Margaret met Fred, a young redhead from the Army Air Corps. Their first meeting was at a YSO dance at the YMCA. Margaret was 20 when she married Frederick Greenough on July 8, 1942 in Hollywood, California.

Margaret worked as a homemaker raising their seven children. We fondly remember mom as always making our home a welcome and open place for family as well as friends. As the children grew and were leaving home, Margaret worked alongside Fred at the family business, The Clover Leaf, which they opened in 1946.

Margaret’s church family was also very important to her. She was faithful in her church attendance and always a willing helper whenever she was called upon.

Mom was “green” before being “green” was popular. She loved the earth and all its creatures; spiders, never killed, were gently moved outside; weeds were pulled, over and over but never could chemicals be applied. She engaged her family in putting up the local produce and we all learned to bake, can, and put up preserves. We remember many trips to the lower valley to pick tomatoes, which were then promptly put into jars for the winter. Mom always had a wonderful vegetable garden and was famous for her grape jelly.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Fred Greenough; her daughter Faye A. Houchin; a son, her youngest child, Wayne T. Greenough; her brother Glen Halverson and her sister Ann Brooks.

She is survived by a sister Gayle Reid, a son Charles F. Greenough (Lois), four daughters: Sue A. Gunderson (Mike), Elizabeth E. (Libby) Penhallegon (Dan), Marcia K. Bougher (Rick), Gayle J. Brown (Greg) a daughter-in-law, Carrie Greenough and son-in-law Bill Houchin. She also leaves behind twenty-one grandchildren, many with spouses, and thirty-six great grandchildren.

Mom lived a long, loving, fruitful, and healthy life. Margaret faced each day with loving care whether it was a day of pain, sorrow, or joy. Her peaceful passing was a gift from the Creator. We extend special thanks to the wonderfully caring staff of Highgate Living Center for their care of Mom these past few months. They were truly a blessing to Mom and our family.

There will be a Memorial Service honoring Margaret’s life on Saturday September 20th 2014 at 11:00 AM. It will be held at Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 4105 Richey Road, Yakima, Washington 98908. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Margaret’s name to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church or to the charity of the donor’s choosing.