Margaret Emma Toulouse

Margaret Emma Toulouse Margaret Emma Toulouse finished her journey in this life on Aug. 16, 2010. She is now with her Lord and Savior, Jesus.

This day is something she looked forward to with excitement and complete peace. She lived a most remarkable life. She was born in a homestead cabin on a farm in Lewistown, Mont. Aunts raised the three sisters, Margaret, Laura and Helen, after their mother passed away from complications of childbirth. Margaret's early life took her to mining, ranch and farm towns throughout Montana.

She joyously told of traveling to town in a horse and sleigh in the winters. She recalled her beloved uncle taking her on her first automobile ride.

After two years of college, she accepted her first teaching position at a one-room schoolhouse in the Montana mountains. She lived with a ranch family and rode a horse to and from the school each day, even during Montana winters. She could still recall the names of those first students.

She loved being a teacher and working with the young children. She met her dearly loved husband, Levi Virgil Toulouse, "Virg," at a small-town dance after World War II. They were married and moved to Havre, Mont., in 1947 to establish their home. Virg had an aircraft repair service and Marge taught in the Havre schools. She enjoyed a 36-year career in teaching, mostly in Havre, Mont. Her oldest son, Doug, was born in 1952 and his sister and brothers, Ina, Ralph and Allan, were adopted in 1960.

Growing up, her children were always amazed at "another one," the adults that they would meet that she taught. This extended almost to three generations at home in Havre. Her husband retired in 1972 and passed away in 1978. Mom retired from teaching in 1976.

A third chapter in her life began when she moved to Amarillo, Texas, in 1990. She moved here to help Doug raise her grandson, Levi. She provided him with all the love, support, wisdom and nurturing a beloved mother and grandmother could provide.

She loved meeting neighbors, and she actively participated in Hillside Christian Church through Bible studies, Stephen Ministry and Sharing Hope as a pen pal. She has always been there to listen, encourage and pray for all those God placed in her path. She kept a prayer list and spent part of each day praying for the needs of all those on the list. Her children always knew of and felt the strength gained from her prayers.

She stayed in touch with all her far-flung family and friends by mail, daily phone calls with her sister Helen and dear friend Merilyn Hall, in Montana. She used e-mail for those who could keep up with her at 94. She took pride in the accomplishments of her eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, and knew of the 12th great-grandchild that is to be born on her birthday, Nov. 27.

Though all who knew Marge will miss her, all have been enriched and made fuller by her love and encouragement. We feared less and knew of the great love that our Lord had for us. Even in her final days at home, she blessed each one with her smile and concern for our lives. The peace in her spirit comforts us as we go forward in love for each other.

A memorial service will be held for her at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. Though she loved flowers, a memorial for her is at Sharing Hope Ministry, PO Box 19985, Amarillo, TX 79114.

Margaret Emma Toulouse finished her journey in this life on Aug. 16, 2010. She is now with her Lord and Savior, Jesus.

This day is something she looked forward to with excitement and complete peace. She lived a most remarkable life. She was born in a homestead cabin on a farm in Lewistown, Mont. Aunts raised the three sisters, Margaret, Laura and Helen, after their mother passed away from complications of childbirth. Margaret's early life took her to mining, ranch and farm towns throughout Montana.

She joyously told of traveling to town in a horse and sleigh in the winters. She recalled her beloved uncle taking her on her first automobile ride.

After two years of college, she accepted her first teaching position at a one-room schoolhouse in the Montana mountains. She lived with a ranch family and rode a horse to and from the school each day, even during Montana winters. She could still recall the names of those first students.

She loved being a teacher and working with the young children. She met her dearly loved husband, Levi Virgil Toulouse, "Virg," at a small-town dance after World War II. They were married and moved to Havre, Mont., in 1947 to establish their home. Virg had an aircraft repair service and Marge taught in the Havre schools. She enjoyed a 36-year career in teaching, mostly in Havre, Mont. Her oldest son, Doug, was born in 1952 and his sister and brothers, Ina, Ralph and Allan, were adopted in 1960.

Growing up, her children were always amazed at "another one," the adults that they would meet that she taught. This extended almost to three generations at home in Havre. Her husband retired in 1972 and passed away in 1978. Mom retired from teaching in 1976.

A third chapter in her life began when she moved to Amarillo, Texas, in 1990. She moved here to help Doug raise her grandson, Levi. She provided him with all the love, support, wisdom and nurturing a beloved mother and grandmother could provide.

She loved meeting neighbors, and she actively participated in Hillside Christian Church through Bible studies, Stephen Ministry and Sharing Hope as a pen pal. She has always been there to listen, encourage and pray for all those God placed in her path. She kept a prayer list and spent part of each day praying for the needs of all those on the list. Her children always knew of and felt the strength gained from her prayers.

She stayed in touch with all her far-flung family and friends by mail, daily phone calls with her sister Helen and dear friend Merilyn Hall, in Montana. She used e-mail for those who could keep up with her at 94. She took pride in the accomplishments of her eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, and knew of the 12th great-grandchild that is to be born on her birthday, Nov. 27.

Though all who knew Marge will miss her, all have been enriched and made fuller by her love and encouragement. We feared less and knew of the great love that our Lord had for us. Even in her final days at home, she blessed each one with her smile and concern for our lives. The peace in her spirit comforts us as we go forward in love for each other.

A memorial service will be held for her at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. Though she loved flowers, a memorial for her is at Sharing Hope Ministry, PO Box 19985, Amarillo, TX 79114.