Margaret Walker

With a journey that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Margaret Walker lived a life that was deeply rooted in faith and unconditional love for others. She had a heart for children, and the love they had for her was easy to see. Marge treasured time spent with family, and a stranger was never a stranger for long when she was around. Eager to give of her time and resources in ways both great and small, she made a significant impact in the world around her. Marge will be deeply missed, but she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

The 1920s were a time filled with great trial, tribulation, and violence in Ireland. After the assignation of British operatives and subsequent violence, marital law was declared in much of Southern Ireland. It was during this time of unrest that Walter James and Jemina (Allen) Walker were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their own lives as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Margaret on June 23, 1920, in Belfast, Ireland. She was raised alongside her older siblings, George, Mary “Mable," and William, and as a child they went back and forth between Belfast and Chicago a few times as the family had planted roots in Chicago but her mother missed their family and friends in Ireland. While growing up Margaret was often known as Greta, but later in life she came to be known as Marge. She attended school in Chicago, and since they had been part of the Protestant Church in Ireland they also became an active part of a Protestant Church in Chicago. They attended the Assembly on 86th Street and Bishop, and this was a very important place for her as it was where much of the activity took place. Marge graduated from high school with dreams of becoming a nurse, however, these hopes were dashed with the death of her father as she and her sister found work so they could support their mother.

After her sister Mable married, Marge and her mother lived with Mable and her husband. Marge worked a few odd jobs and then began working for the Chicago Transit Authority. This is where Marge spent the rest of her career with the bulk of her time being spent in accounts receivable. With the office being located at the Merchandise Mart, she became friends with many of the manufacturers representatives. Marge loved buying things and seemed to always come home with a package. As the whole group was preparing to move to a home in Oak Lawn, her mother died. Marge remained living with her sister for the rest of her life.

Throughout her life Marge was a very social person. Much of her social activity revolved around church, this time in Palos Heights, and they were a tight knit group. Marge loved children, which is what made her such a great Sunday school teacher. The children loved her as well, and she was known to spoil them as she was the “Candy Lady” who always had a bag of candy for the kids at church. Marge also loved seeing her nieces and nephews, and later her grand nieces and nephews. She often bought them things, and at times some even lived with her and Mable over the years.

For the majority of her life, Marge maintained an active lifestyle. She did some traveling including a trip to Ireland with her mother when they took the Queen Elizabeth over. Marge also took some additional trips including to Cuba, Hong Kong, and on an Alaskan cruise. With a heart for serving others, she gave of her time and resources to church. She also had a heart for missions, supporting them in various ways including through contributions to help build Masapi Christian Church in the Philippines. In her down time, Marge could often be found knitting.

When her brother-in-law died, Marge and Mable decided to move to Michigan to be near several friends. They settled into a house in Hudsonville and began attending Forest Hills Bible Chapel. There, Marge continued to be a favorite among the children. When the condo became too much for the sisters to care for, they moved to Rest Haven Homes where they made friends with ease. Marge continued to enjoy passing out candy to her friends there. In 2009, Marge was deeply saddened with the death of her sister. In the years that followed, she continued wanting to engage with friends at Rest Haven, and although health issues greatly impacted her physically, Marge remained sharp.

All who knew Margaret Walker would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. Guided by her unwavering faith, her life truly exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. A vital part of the community she loved, Marge was a stranger to none and a friend to all. Deeply loved, she will be forever.

Margaret Walker passed away December 19, 2017. Marge is survived by her nieces, Nisa Crutchfield, Barbara (Anthony) Medeiros; grand nieces and nephews Cathy (Matt) Young, Sarah (Samuel) Logan, James (Mary) Medeiros, Ben (Kim) Davis; and several great grand nieces and nephews. Marge was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, George (Elizabeth) Walker, Mary "Mable" (Norman) Eadie, William Walker; and her sister-in-law, Connie Stoyka, and niece Lydia Davis. The service to remember and celebrate Marge's life will be held on Friday, December 29 at 2 PM at Rest Haven Home, 1424 Union NE in Grand Rapids. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Danny and Elizabeth Martinez at CMPI care of Christian Missions in Many Lands are appreciated.