Margaret Amanda Mouat

Margaret Amanda Mouat

Cherished aunt and friend, Margaret Amanda Mouat, 94, was called back to heaven on June 18, 2018, at Mountain Valley of Cascadia in Kellogg, Idaho. Margaret was born on Nov. 19, 1923; she was the daughter of Charles and Gail (Day) Butts.

A private celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at a later date.

Margaret was born in Kansas but grew up in Northern Idaho and graduated from the Bonners Ferry High School. She continued her education at the University of Idaho where she studied nursing. Margaret then served as a nurse in the Navy during World War II; she was stationed in Hawaii and then Washington, D.C.

Following her time in service in the military, she married the love of her life, William Mouat. They spent four wonderful years together until his untimely passing.

Margaret was a special lady and a pioneer of her time and beyond. She was a front runner for women in the military, worked for the postal service, and owning her own successful machine shop in Seattle for more than 40 years. If she was told she couldn’t do something, she would prove them wrong by doing it and doing it well. She loved challenges and loved succeeding.

Margaret physically built her own home on Whidbey Island, Wash., — not even a broken back could keep her from finishing her house. Her home was not the only thing she built, in every home she lived in, she built her own greenhouses. She was a motivated and strong woman who enjoyed doing things for herself.

Margaret had many other accomplishments, including volunteering countless hours to the Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce, to which she was honored with the key to the city. She also gave a lot of her time to work with several young, up-and-coming artists and sculptors to help them carry out their artistic vision. She even had the opportunity to work closely with Julie Speidel, an extremely successful sculptor.

Margaret was a devout Catholic and loved her church in Bonners Ferry. She held memberships with flower clubs, she very much enjoyed gardening and her flowers. She also had a soft spot for her beloved little Pomeranians, which were like her children.

Margaret is survived by her loving niece Marie Graves of Pinehurst, Idaho; her nephew James (Marty) Dirks of Creston, B.C.; her sister Martha Dirks of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, as well as many nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, William; her parents Charles and Gail; her sister Gladys Helmick; and her brother Charles Butts.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to Shoshone Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 884, Kellogg, Idaho 83837.