Note: Aunt Marg in this account is Margaret McFarland Thompson wife of Gordon F. Thompson who was my Dad's brother and my uncle. LauRene Thompson Buswell

AUNT MARG:

I have warm memories of Aunt Marg. She was my second mother as I was growing up. I was always welcome at any time in Uncle Gordie and Aunt Margaret's home. In looking back, it seems like I visited in their home almost every day. It was fun to do jobs for her like washing dishes, dusting or shining mirrors. My mother asked me once why it was more fun to do work at Aunt Marg's home. I guess it was the novelty of being in someone else's home.

Aunt Marg was a pretty woman. Her skin had a bit of a natural glow and her eyes were expressive. Her hair waved and curled easily, and as it grayed showed highlights that made her look distinguished. She dressed neatly and appropriately for all occasions. She was soft spoken and somewhat shy.

She was committed to helping and doing for her husband, children, parents, brothers and sisters, extended family and neighbors. I knew she loved Uncle Gordie by the way she treated him. She showed him respect and honored his opinion. She supported him in whatever calling he had. She kept her children well fed, well groomed and ready to do what they needed to do. She taught them, gently and firmly, gospel principles, honesty, fairness and goodness. I remember going with her and her children to visit her parents, brothers and sisters in their homes. She gave time and caring during illness to these people in her life. I particularly remember Grandma McFarland and her sweet disposition.

In our neighborhood after the night meal and chores were done, the cousins collected to play games until dark. Because their home was in the middle between our home and Uncle Ster's, more often than naught we gathered there to play children's games like: Run Sheepie Run, Hide & Go Seek, Cops & Robbers, Kick the Can and Antie-I-Over. Hearty laughter and good humor was the order of the day.

Aunt Marg was a good homemaker. Her attire was a housedress and apron both gingham in pretty pastel colors of checks and plaids. Her homemade bread was a real treat. To me it was like eating cake. I have a strong memory of her back porch on wash day. The Maytag washer and wringer, the double tubs for rinsing, one with bluing in it and one clear water. She hung the wash on clothes lines south of the house using wooden clothespins to secure them and then a long substantial stick to prop the clothes high enough to not touch the ground. Canning was a ritual of preparing peaches, pears or whatever by washing, peeling, pitting and placing in bottles with sweet syrup and screwing on lids after placing a red rubber band on the lip of the bottle. After processing and cooling the bottled fruit was carried to the shelves in the cellar below the granary. There was a potato pit nearby covered with straw and dirt to store potatoes for the winter. Housecleaning was Spring and Fall ritual of cleaning wallpaper with a pink dough-like wad to remove smoke film caused by coal stoves, painting, scrubbing, shining, turning mattresses and hanging clothes from the closets outside to air.

Contributing to church and community functions was a part of her life. She willingly contributed food and time to 17th of March homecoming, Black & White Days, Primary & Relief Society socials. She and Jane Carver were a legend as chairman of the Turkey Dressing assignment. I think their recipe is still used by Food Chairman for the 17th of March dinners.

In their later years, Uncle Gordie and Aunt Marg spent their winters in Arizona. During the month of February over a period of years, Don and I went to Phoenix to attend Dental Seminars. We were welcomed with open arms by those dear people. They wanted to hear first hand all about the people at home. Aunt Marg was homesick by then and a month or more away from going home. We talked and talked, went shopping, shared recipes, went sightseeing and attended the temple. She taught me how to properly fold my temple clothes and instructed me quietly on other matters.

She share with me her shyness and fright in doing public things. She confided that she had been asked to be Relief Society president at one time. She asked for time to think it over feeling the need to be obedient to a call. After anguishing for a few days, she declined the request.

I knew she had a strong testimony of the gospel. Her Christ-like living proved that to me. She was a caring, tender mother, a gracious lovely LDS woman.

My mother and Aunt Marg were best friends. They often went places together enjoying many of the same things. Dad and Uncle Gordie shared their lives, too, their work problems of farming, livestock, raising children and caring properly for their parents. With Uncle Ster and Aunt Frances up the street, also, we were a family oriented neighborhood. Going to Como and Lagoon were special excursions we all looked forward to with anticipation both parents and children. Working in the fields together was also part of our family experience. As we worked, we sang and teased and laughed together. It was a good time of our lives.

I was proud to introduce Uncle Gordie and Aunt Marg to our friends when they came to Portland to visit when Don was in Dental School. They were sweethearts and true companions. They shared their lives, complimenting one another in so many ways. Our conversations with them were pleasant and spiritual. I loved Aunt Marg and Uncle Gordie.