Margaret M. Stratton

How can we immortalize in words the life of our mother? It seems as if a few paragraphs cannot adequately summarize such a powerful force in our lives. To friends, she was a second mother; to us, a guiding light who made us who we are today. She gave us our love of reading, of stories, she endowed upon us a curiosity of life, charity, humor, and a profound sense of justice.

She was a survivor. Her three boys tested her strength, patience, and love when she raised them on her own, sacrificing everything to keep us together. After being diagnosed with stage four cancer twelve years ago, she squared her shoulders and faced it down without complaint through surgery and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, it returned, and she stoically refused treatment. She was indomitable.

Our mother loved nature. Sitting quietly in her garden she could be found surrounded by chickadees and sparrows, her hands filled with seeds. She loved to walk the woods at Beaver Lake or spend time at her niece’s farm. Her house is as much garden as home.

Her sons, John, Dave, and Brian, their spouses, Lori, Melanie, and Stephanie and her grandchildren Charissa (and her spouse, Seth), Emma, and Owen will miss her. We will miss how she touched nature, how she told stories, how she held our hand or gave us strength when we needed it.

To honor her, be more patient, be more loving, be more forgiving, be the foundation that others rely on. And face life’s obstacles with resolve and endurance. My mother left the world a better place than she found it. We believe that hopefully we will do the same.

If our mother touched you and you wish to memorialize her life, please do so by donating to Francis House. The work they do is immeasurable.

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