Margaret Lavina Wallen Mousseau

Former Moyie Springs resident Margaret Lavina Wallen Mousseau passed away Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, in Spokane, Wash., after a brief illness.

Magaret was born in Salida, Colo., in 1927. In 1935, her family moved to the Kootenai Valley and farmed the North Bench outside Moyie Springs.

Margaret attended a one-room schoolhouse in Moyie Springs and graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1945. She entered U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps and was discharged in June 1948.

Margaret received a nursing degree from Deaconess School of Nursing in Spokane and obtained a bachelor's of science from Whitworth College in 1949.

She worked as a registered nurse for many years in various hospitals in Washington and Idaho, and served as the director of nursing at Pullman Memorial Hospital before moving to Spokane in 1982.

There Margaret worked at Sacred Heart Medical Center in surgery until her retirement at age 70, ending a 52-year nursing career.

She was an avid gardener, a lover of flowers and birds, and loved the Oregon Coast.

A group of nurses and volunteers were so kind and gentle to her and her family in her final few days.

Margaret was preceded in death by her brother, Richard E. Wallen (MIA, Korea 1952), and parents Earl K. and Lavina C. Wallen.

She is survived by her children Mark Mousseaux of Medford, Ore., and Theresa Harski and Paul Mousseau, both of Spokane; four grandchildren; three sisters; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private family entombment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane. Memorial contributions may be made to Spokane Hospice House, c/o Hospice of Spokane, P.O. Box 2215, Spokane, Wash., 99202.