Obituary - Margaret (Hall) Heberly

Written by Margaret (Hall) Heberly

Margaret (Hall) Heberly passed away in Pullman, Washington, on Sept. 14, 2019. 

She was born in Choteau, MT, on January 10, 1921, to John and Mabel Hall. Margaret grew up with an older sister, Virginia, and younger brother, John. The family settled on a small ranch near the town of Fort Shaw, MT. Those years spent at small schools were some of the happiest of Margaret's life. It was there that she met Ted Heberly and they were married in 1941. 

Margaret and Ted moved to Schenectady, NY, where Ted was employed by General Electric as an engineer during World War II. They then moved to San Francisco where Ted was employed as a turbine specialist for ships coming in for repairs.

At the end of the war, they were anxious to return to Montana with their two small children, JoAnne and John. They moved to Helena, Malta, and then lastly settled in Havre, where they lived for over fifty years. After their move to Havre, they had another son, Jim, who took over Heberly Engineering after Ted retired. 

Margaret was active in her Havre community. She taught Sunday school for many years and she and her husband were strong and active members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Margaret was always interested in education and started attending Northern Montana College at age 36 when her youngest child, Jim, started first grade. She received a teaching degree from Northern and graduated with honors. Margaret taught as a substitute in many of the Havre schools including Northern Montana College. 

Margaret and Ted spent many winters in Peoria, AZ, where they enjoyed playing golf. Ted died in 2000 and Margaret moved to Helena, MT, and then to Pullman, WA, to be closer to children and grandchildren. 

Margaret was always an avid bridge player and in the early 1960s became interested in duplicate bridge. After her move to Helena to be closer to her son John and his family, she played duplicate bridge twice a week and met many new friends. 

Margaret had a keen interest in following her children and grandchildren in their activities and loved cheering on the Seattle Mariners and the Phoenix Suns. She enjoyed sewing and knitting and made most of her and her daughter's clothing. 

Margaret was a great reader and loved libraries. She kept up on all the new books. 

At the time of her death, Margaret was living in Pullman, Washington where her daughter, JoAnne, and her husband, Bob Tunnicliff, took exceptional care of her.

She is survived by her children, JoAnne (Bob Tunnicliff) Pullman, WA, John (Joan) Helena, MT, and Jim (Ginny) Havre, MT; grandchildren John (Anna) Nofsinger, Eric Nofsinger, Jan (Steve) Gerl, Bob (Rachael) Heberly, Dave Heberly, and Steve (Rachel) Heberly; 10 great-grandchildren whom she referred to as the "greats" and four nieces and a nephew. 

At her request, she will be interred next to her family in the Sun River, MT, cemetery. A private family burial is planned.