known as Wayne's Mountain, named after her beloved uncle. She greatly enjoyed going to Pow Wows with her husband, Gary, and celebrating the local arts and cultures in the area. Reading poetry was a favorite pastime for her and she particularly loved the words of e.e. cummings and Wendell Berry, whose books and poems she would often share with those she knew. Margaret was so many things to so many people in her life and she lived it fully. She found joy and beauty everywhere she went and she shared that fullness with all the people she met. Her happiness, laughter, and love for life were contagious. In this life you may find yourself fortunate enough to meet someone who embodies true loving kindness and absolute unselfishness. They are rare and the world needs more of them. Margaret was one of those loverly people. Everyone who met her was touched by her grace and generosity and was a better person for it. She gave of herself unconditionally. She was a daughter, a mother, a wife, a sister, a caregiver, and a friend. And through every moment and in every relationship she was a devastatingly good person. Each interaction she had in this world brought to it a little more light and warmth. The heartbreak of her loss can never be fully intimated by words alone. And while that loss feels nearly unbearable in this moment, we know that the way forward is to impart even just an ounce of her compassion into our lives and to the people we meet, from friends to strangers. To carry her legacy onward we must all be a little kinder to one another, a little more patient in the most trying of times, and a little more generous to everyone. This world is full of suffering and each of us has our own cross to bear. So through the work of Margaret, let us each carry and share a bit of her kindness and love with each other. Let us make the world a better place to the best of our abilities. That is what she would have wanted. Over the last 13 years, Margaret lived beautifully in the face of cancer. She never complained. Not once. She faced her struggle with grace, and humility, and courage, and continued to pray every day for others who were less fortunate. She found humor and laughter and smiles until the very end. Love was the defining element of her existence. Through this part of the journey that we all shared with her, the kindness of others met us at every turn. We wish to thank everyone who gave of themselves during this time. To our dear family friends, Jen Ancell and James Butterworth who opened their home and their hearts to our family all those years ago, to the staff at Mayo through surgery and treatment and rehabilitation, and more recently to the staff at Trinity Muscatine and the nurses and staff at Premier Estates along with the Hospice team who in these last few days provided us with kindness and comfort when we most desperately needed it. And to all the family and friends and strangers over the years who have given of themselves to make our lives better during this difficult and yet incredible experience. And lastly to Gary, Margaret's devoted and unwavering husband, who every day for the past thirteen years, through his love and patience gave utterly of himself to care for her in the most gentle and generous way possible, we cannot thank you enough. In the last days before Margaret passed, her room was so filled with love and warmth and family. Even until the end, she brought people together and continues to do so as we move forward. It was an honor to be a part of her life and to share in the beauty that she embodied. Margaret, we love you with all our hearts. Margaret was preceded in death by her father Stanley McCullough, sister Lucy (John) Button, and mother Nora McCullough. She is survived by her husband Gary Causey, children Jessica Hubbard and Bobby Fiedler (Amy Blair), step-sons Joe and Chris Causey, step-grandson Grayson, sister Jean (John) Ganter, niece and nephews Jamie, Jason and Jeremy, and many cousins and relatives spread up and down the East Coast and throughout the United States. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Fresh Air Fund at freshair.org to help bring underserved youth to the outdoors. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements. Online Condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com
Ralph J Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home
Muscatine, IA 52761
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