Margaret Anderson

Margaret E. Anderson, 93, died June 12, 2008 in a Long Beach care facility where she had resided the past three years. The eldest of three children born to Franklin and Cora (Ritz) Brindell, she was born in Clay Center, Kansas on April 12, 1915. Four years later the family moved to Ogden, Utah where Margaret attended Sacred Heart Academy. In 1921 she moved to Preston, Idaho and four years later to Spokane, Washington where she attended Roosevelt grade school and graduated from Holy Names Academy in 1933. Her higher education included Whitworth College and the University of Idaho in Moscow. Margaret resided in Portland and later Salem, Oregon before moving to Astoria. There she met Wallace Anderson of Skamokawa, Washington. They married in September of 1941 and established their first home in Skamokawa. When Wallace returned from serving in the US Army during World War II the couple settled in Longview, WA. There Wallace established a real estate office, son Joel was born, and Margaret entered the work force. She was employed by The Longview Daily News as assistant society editor and later was secretary to guidance counselors at an Longview high school. Margaret was a member of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Longview and was a member of the Longview Junior Women's Club where she served on various committees, both locally and at the district level. Margaret was proud to have obtained a pony and cart and pogo sticks for use by Longview-Kelso area children. For many years Margaret also volunteered at the Cowlitz County Fair, returning even after she moved to the Peninsula. In 1969 she and Wallace moved permanently to Seaview where they had a summer home for a number of years. Margaret worked as a secretary at Telephone Utilities in Ilwaco until retirement. A lifelong Episcopalian she became a very active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Seaview. There she served as president of the church women's association, church pledge secretary, active in the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, church bazaars and rummage sales and in any capacity where she could serve. Her keen business sense allowed her to be the "money changer" or treasurer for many church endeavors. Her church was the core of her life, a relationship she shared until her death. Margaret was a member of the Mentor Study Club on the Peninsula. Knitting and traveling were also enjoyed and she had made trips to Hawaii, Europe, Alaska, Canada, the Virgin Islands and throughout the United States. In past years she also enjoyed tole painting. Margaret is survived by son Joel Anderson of Long Beach; sister Frances Morse of Billings, Montana; grandson Kenneth; great-grandson Jaxon Anderson; granddaughter Kailey Anderson; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974 and brother her F. A. "Bud" Brindell in 1975. Funeral requiem will be held Thursday, June 19, 2008, 2:00 PM at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Seaview. A reception follows in the church hall. Private inurnment will be at Ilwaco Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, PO Box 268, Seaview, WA 98644. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.