Margaret (Ferguson) Beck: 1941-2021

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On May 24, 2021, Margaret (Ferguson) Beck passed away peacefully at home next to her husband of 59 years, James, and surrounded by her children, Jennifer, Jonathan, and David. She leaves two loving grandchildren, Cameron and Moira; and her four beloved brothers, Howard, Jim, Robert, and Doug Ferguson.
Margaret was born to Charles and Ellen Ferguson, Sept. 2, 1941, in Snohomish, Wash. The three moved to Woodland, Wash., where her father and uncle purchased the family dairy farm. Margaret grew up working hard on the dairy while making time to study, earning Valedictorian of the class of 1958, at Woodland High School. Both commanding and generous, she was crowned Cowlitz County Dairy Princess before heading off to WSU where she earned her degree in education. After graduating, she was a home economics teacher in the Auburn school district. Margaret married James, Sept. 1, 1962. The two met early on in 4-H, then again at WSU. Margaret’s love of kids drew her to be a 4-H leader for her daughter and den mother for her sons’ Cub Scouting. Her caretaking never stopped. She was to get a phone call if any friend of hers or her childrens’ needed help or a ride. Known as a fiercely loyal friend and for her hour(s) long phone calls. Margaret was always there when anyone needed her. Even for those she didn’t know, she generously gave of herself, making thousands of pillows for Centralia’s Providence Hospital, bags to affix to veteran’s walkers, blankets for residents at the memory care center, and donations to the local food bank and women’s shelter. Her compassion for others was fostered by her membership in the Onalaska First Church of God and expressed in her work with the Centralia Lion’s Club. Later in life, Margaret discovered a talent for taxes, worked at H&R Block and with a local CPA, using her skills again to assist others.
Margaret’s family and friends can find peace imaging she is finally free to breathe deeply, walk briskly and smell every flower she encounters.