Margaret Bixby

Obituary of Margaret Jane Bixby Portage Township Margaret Jane Bixby, age 63, passed away on Friday February 1st, 2008 at Portage Health center in Hancock Michigan after a long battle with cancer. Margaret was born December 2nd, 1944 to Roy and Nelda (Sherwood) Wallis in Durand Michigan. Margaret has five siblings; Barbara Wallis, S. Russell Wallis, James married to Brigitte Wallis, Robert Wallis and Richard married to Rhea Wallis. Margaret was married to Howard Bixby on December 30th, 1968 in Madison Wisconsin. Howard's parents are John and Gloria Bixby. He has two siblings John "Jack" married to Mary Ellen Bixby, and Robert Bixby. Margaret and Howard have three daughters; Kathryn Bixby, Martha LaMar, and Mary Bixby. They have two grandchildren Alexander LaMar and Lauren LaMar. They have many nieces and nephews; Rachel Harnish and Andrew Barton and their daughter Natalie Barton, Roy Harnish, William Wallis, Travis Wallis, Hyla Wallis, Erich Wallis, Ian Wallis, Ericka Wallis, James Wallis, Phillip and Susan Bixby and their daughter Melanie, Sarah Bixby and Kevin O'Grady and their daughter Ava. Margaret graduated as a valedictorian from Durand High School. She attended Michigan State and graduated with a bachelor's in Bacteriology from University of Wisconsin Madison. She received her Masters in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin. Margaret worked as a Microbiologist for the State of Wisconsin for 17 years. She worked in the Peace Corps in Managua, Nicaragua in 1972 and 1973. She was a Girl Scout Leader and camp counselor. Margaret loved music and taught Suzuki piano, sang in choir, and played the organ for the Congregational church in Kewaunee Wisconsin. She felt blessed to be able to care for her mother and grandchildren for the past ten years. Howard and Margaret fulfilled their long awaited dream to live in the Keweenaw. Margaret is preceded in death by her father Roy and father-in-law John. She is survived by her mother Nelda and mother-in-law Gloria, her husband Howard, all her siblings, children, nieces and nephews and grandchildren. Margaret loved nature, outdoor activities, playing the piano and organ, reading and spending time with her family who will greatly miss the brightness her life shed on all those who knew her. Her presence can now be shared by everyone who loves her where she will be in our hearts and thought forever. Funeral services for Margaret will be held 11 a.m. Saturday February 9, 2008, at the Portage Lake United Church of Houghton with Rev. Victoria Bethel to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton. Friends may call on Saturday February 9, 2008, at the Portage Lake United Church in Houghton from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church. To view Margaret's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net. To send flowers to the family of Margaret Bixby, please visit Tribute Store