Margaret Ella Westbrook Obituary

1917 -2013 – Margaret Ella Westbrook, 95, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, August 1, surrounded by her loving family. Margaret was born on a farm in Surprise, Nebraska, on December 27, 1917, to William and Mable McCoy.

She was the second of three daughters. The family moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, where they had a potato farm during the beginning of the recession, following the end of WW I. They later moved back to Surprise, where she attended elementary school. She graduated from Rising City High School in 1935. She attended her 60th class reunion there in 1995, accompanied by her daughter Carol and husband Dennis Jones.

Following graduation, Margaret came to Montana to help her older sister, Hester, and her two sons. During that time Margaret was employed by the Flying D Ranch near Gallatin Gateway. She loved Montana. Margaret returned to Nebraska in the fall of 1937 to be with her parents and younger sister, Doris. She worked as a short order cook in a cafe, where she met her future husband, Max Westbrook. They were married March 4, 1939, at her parents’ home. In 1941, Max and Margaret moved to Bozeman, where daughter Carol was born in 1943. They rented farm property near Gallatin Gateway and for the next six years farmed using horse drawn equipment. A second daughter, Barbara, was born in 1949. Margaret’s parents later moved to Montana and the Gallatin Valley to reside near Margaret and Hester. They all knew the value of hard work and the strength of being a part of a loving family. They all loved to garden and raise flowers. Margaret processed and canned hundreds of jars of produce that she had grown and she was quick to share with anyone in need. In 1952, the Westbrooks purchased farm property on the Rock Creek Bench on the southwest foothills of the Crazy Mountains, just east of Clyde Park, where they farmed and raised Angus cattle. A third daughter, Margale, was born in 1954. At that time the family maintained a residence in Clyde Park and a summer home on the Rock Creek farm. In the mid-1960s they purchased a home and additional farm property on the Shields River southwest of Clyde Park. Margaret continued gardening, helping on the farm while raising and supporting three daughters in their many activities. She also worked in the Clyde Park school lunch program for a dozen years and served as a local correspondent for the Livingston-based Park County News weekly newspaper. Margaret was an active member of the Shields Valley Methodist Church, where she served on the board and as treasurer for many years. She had a love for the people she worked with and the fond and lasting friendships have continued to this day. She also was a member of the Clyde Park Hobby Club and the

Methodist Church quilting group. Margaret enjoyed her opportunities to travel with her sister, Hester. They traveled to Germany to visit Margale and her husband Sam Prestipino in 1983. They also toured Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Spain and Holland. Margaret also enjoyed trips to Canada and Hawaii and a second trip to Germany. The Westbrooks retired in 1998, selling their farm property and moving to Polson. Max passed away in February of 1999. Margaret relied upon the strength of her faith in dealing with the passing of her husband and her relocation to a new community. She became an active and loyal member of the Polson United Methodist Church and joined the Polson Senior Citizens. She quickly made new friends at the Center’s exercise class, church and home Bible studies. She also was an active member (with perfect attendance) of the “Classy Lassies w/a Hatitude” Red Hat group and enjoyed many fun times with those ladies. At age 95, Margaret rode in this year’s Polson 4th of July parade, representing the group’s senior member. Margaret also enjoyed the Port Polson Players community theater and enthusiastically attended all of its plays. The Bigfork Theater productions were summer events she enjoyed in the company of her five great granddaughters from Missoula. Margaret treated her daughters and spouses to a trip to Branson, Missouri and enjoyed it so much a few years later she returned there with daughter Carol and friends. Daniel O’Donnell was one of her favorite shows.

In February of 2001, she took her only ocean cruise with daughter Barbara and her husband Tom Croston traveling to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. She fulfilled a dream in 2005, traveling with them to the Grand Canyon. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mable McCoy, husband Max, sister Hester Nitz, and grandson Kendall Jones. Survivors include her three daughters; Carol Jones (Dennis) - Polson, Barbara Croston (Tom) – Red Lodge, Margale Prestipino (Sam) – Helena; sister, Doris Habel-Dutton. Grandchildren; Kevin Jones (Cassie) Missoula, Kimberly Rate (Chris) –Tampa, Fla., Tracy Schwab (Tom) – Laurel, Brian Croston - Helena, StepGranddaughter,

Cris Bisson (Marc) - Helena. Grandchildren; Hailey, Paige, Becca, Libbie, and Emily Jones – Missoula; Micah, Levi, Lyann, Joy, and Simeon Rate – Tampa, Fla.; Connor and Lauren Schwab – Laurel; Natalie, Asher and Grady Croston – Helena. Margaret was a wonderful wife, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a kind and compassionate friend and admired by many. She was known for her Christian faith, self-sufficiency and positive attitude, as well as her beautiful white hair and lemon meringue pies. Margaret knew the most important things in life are faith, family and friends. She lived a life of giving and encouraging others. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 10 at 11 a.m. at the Polson United Methodist Church at 302 16th Avenue East. Memorials may be made to the Polson United Methodist Church. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory are handling the arrangements for the family.  Messages of condolences can be sent to www.groganfuneralhome.com.