Margaret Ella Westbrook
POLSON — Margaret Ella Westbrook, 95, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, Aug. 1, surrounded by her loving family.
Margaret was born on a farm in Surprise, Neb., on Dec. 27, 1917 to William and Mable McCoy. She was the second of three daughters. The family moved to Scottsbluff, Neb., where they had a potato farm during the beginning of the recession following the end of WWI. 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.
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, 1929, at her parents’ home.
In 1941 they moved to Bozeman where daughter Carol was born in 1943. They rented farm property near Gallatin Gateway where, for the next six years, they began farming using horse drawn equipment. A second daughter, Barbara, was born in 1949.
Margaret’s parents later moved to Montana and the Gallatin Valley, where they resided 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 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, 9 miles east of Clyde Park. There 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 and helping on the farm while raising and supporting three daughters in their many activities. During that time she was employed in the Clyde Park School’s lunch program for a dozen years and served as a local correspondent for the Livingston based Park County weekly newspaper.
Margaret was an active member of the Shield 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 was also a member of the Clyde Park Hobby Club and the Methodist Church quilting group.
Margaret enjoyed the opportunities to travel with her sister Hester. In 1983 they traveled to Germany to visit Margale and her husband Sam. At that time they toured Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Spain and Holland. Later Margaret enjoyed trips to Canada and Hawaii and a return trip to Germany.
In 1998 the Westbrooks retired, selling their farm property and moved to Polson. Max passed away in February of 1999.
After the passing of her husband and living in a new community, Margaret faced dramatic changes but she found strength through her faith. She became an active and loyal member of the Polson Methodist Church and joined the Polson Senior Citizens. She was also an active member, (with perfect attendance), of the “Classy Lassies with a Hatitude” Red Hat group and enjoyed many fun times with those ladies. At age 95, Margaret rode in this year’s 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 and her daughter Carol returned there along with friends. Daniel O’Donnell was one of her favorite shows.
In February 2001, she took her only cruise with her daughter Barbara and husband Tom to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. In March of 2005, she fulfilled a dream by traveling with them to the Grand Canyon.
Margaret’s parents William and Mable McCoy; her husband Max; her sister Hester Nitz; and her grandson Kendall Jones, precede her in death.
Survivors include her daughters Carol Jones (Dennis) of Polson, Barbara Croston (Tom) of Red Lodge, Margale Prestipino (Sam) of Helena; her sister Doris Hable of Dutton; grandchildren Kevin Jones (Cassie) of Missoula, Kimberly Rate (Chris) of Tampa, Fla., Tracy Schwab (Tom) of Laurel, Brian Croston of Helena; and great-grandchildren Hailey, Paige, Becca, Libbie, and Emily Jones of Missoula; Micha, Levi, Lyann, Joy, and Simeon Rate of Tampa, Fla.; Connor and Lauren Schwab of Laurel; Natalie, Asher and Grady Croston of Helena.
Margaret was a wonderful wife, beloved mother and grandmother. She was a kind, compassionate friend and admired by many. She was known for her Christian faith, self-sufficiency and positive attitude as well as her beautiful silver 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 on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. at Polson United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to Polson United Methodist Church.
