Margaret Irene Thorp

We said our final goodbyes to our beloved mother, Margaret, on the afternoon of November 10th. Mom was born July 12, 1922 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Fred and Lillian Towner, but since 1925 had lived in Auburn, WA. She and our dad, Bill, enjoyed 70 years together until his death this past June.

Mom was raised with her two sisters, Kathrine Hansen and Winnie Dinwiddie, and brother Mac Towner, all of whom survive her in Auburn. They were a lively, loving group, those Towner kids, and they all remained close as adults, even living within a few houses of one another for many of those years, along with Grandma Lil and Grandpa Fred. What a delight it was for all of us kids – growing up with a constant stream of family birthday parties, gatherings around our old oak dining table, or just popping in and out of one another’s homes to chat. We were very lucky.

Mom spent her early married years as a homemaker, raising her three children: Julie (Darrel) Peeples, Bonnie Kavanaugh (Eric), and Jay (Peggy) Thorp. Later, she managed the local Peckenpaugh Hallmark store, which gave her a great creative outlet and where she made so many friends. Mom was a fabulous cook (even won a TV cooking show contest in the 50’s!), seamstress (made many of our clothes as we were growing up), and loved to garden. She also enjoyed her bridge club and was a founding member of the Dr. Frank D. Merritt Children’s Orthopedic Hospital Guild. Mom so loved her good friends and neighbors, especially Fran Calkins and Ruth Leslie, with whom she shared many happy, memorable times.

Mom and Dad both shared a love of their La Conner cabin where they spent many of their retirement days. Mom drew much pleasure from looking out upon the bay, the trees, the flowers, and the many birds she fed at her feeders and marveled at the beauty of it all. Even though her last years were dimmed by dementia, she never lost that sense of wonder for the beauty in nature, her quirky sense of humor, her appreciation for the smallest of kindnesses, or her love for her family. Her heart was full when she left us – and so are ours. Thanks, Mom.

Mom is survived by her siblings, her children, seven grandchildren: Andy (Tesilya) and Colin (Clayann) Peeples, Brynn (Jenn) and Sam (Sheila) Kavanaugh, Jenny (Ron), Matt (Ariel), and Margo (Blake) Thorp and five great-grandchildren: Jessica, Jaden, Noah, James, and Elyse.

Please join us in celebrating Mom’s life on Tuesday December 3, from 1-3 PM at Wesley Homes Lea Hill 32049 109th Pl. SE Auburn, WA.