Margaret Mary Parsons

Margaret was born January 29th, 1936, in Marquette, a daughter of William and Doris (DesJardins) Miller. She was raised in South Marquette, joining in the activities of the kids growing up in the close knit neighborhood of Craig Street. She especially enjoyed slalom skiing. At age seven, Margaret met Stuart “Skip” Parsons, a fellow youth who lived on Craig Street, who would later become her husband. Margaret graduated from Bishop Baraga High School in 1954, and like so many other young women of her age, was first employed with Michigan Bell Telephone as an operator. The company later became Western Electric and relocated their offices to the Sage Building at K.I. Sawyer, where she was employed as a secretary. On February 1st, 1958, Margaret was united in marriage to Stuart “Skip” Parsons. For the first five years of their marriage, the couple traveled all over the State of Michigan, and briefly in Minnesota, as Skip was employed with a road construction crew. During those years many lifelong friendships were made along the way. When the couple returned to Marquette in 1964, they made their lifelong home on Woodland Avenue, where they raised their family. When the children were older, Margaret worked in food service at the Graveraet High School. She retired in 1988. Throughout the years, weekend family outings and vacations were spent at their camp on Noren Lake in Gwinn and were fun relaxing times for family and friends. The rest of their time, Margaret and Skip’s world centered on the Arena where they enjoyed watching their children and grandchildren participate in figure skating and hockey, three generations worth. She was a true, supportive hockey grandma. Both she and Skip were avid NMU hockey fans, having season tickets for many years. In her spare time, Margaret enjoyed cooking, baking, a little crocheting, and spoiling the many family dogs and grand dogs. She also enjoyed daily phone calls with her longtime friend, Sue Chiconsky, and coffee get-togethers with her friends.

Margaret was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church and the church Women’s Club.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Stuart “Skip” Parsons; her children, Lynn (Dan Rademacher) Mattson, Michael (Penny) Parsons, and Mary (Rick) Doucette; her grandchildren, Joshua (Jamie McCollum) Mattson, Jacob (Jocelyn) Mattson, Kyle Parsons, Jenna (Matthew) Wuokko, Hannah (fiance, Derek Wedin) Doucette, and Hunter Doucette; great-grandkids, Jaden (Courtney) Mattson and Jaxon Mattson; her sister-in-law, Judy Miller; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by a daughter, Ann Marie Parsons in 1967; her sister, Noreen MacDonald; brothers, Tom Miller and Daniel Miller; and brother-in-law, Ray MacDonald.

Friends may call at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services on Thursday, October 6th, beginning at 11:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 noon. Rev. Greg Heikkala will officiate. A reception will follow in the funeral home reception room. Interment will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.