Desmarteau, Marguerite

Monday, 26 December 2011 21:25

Marguerite Louise Desmarteau, 81, was taken by the angels from her earthly home to her heavenly home in the early hours of December 26, 2011. This picture was taken Christmas Eve, December 24, 2011.  We are so grateful we were able to share one last blessed Christmas with her.

Visitation, 9am-4pm, Thursday, at Webb-Shinkle Mortuary Chapel. Rosary, 7pm, Thursday. Funeral Mass, 10:30am, Friday, both at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Haysville. In lieu of flowers, Memorial: St. Cecilia Catholic Church or St. Cecilia Catholic Church (Parking Lot Fund), 1802 W. Grand Ave, Haysville, KS 67060.

Marguerite was born November 25, 1930 in Nardin, Oklahoma to Edith Pearl Grade and Ora Edward Holmes, who had married only two weeks after their first meeting and whose marriage lasted 50 years.  Ora always called her "Billie", and she is still called that today by many who knew her.  Growing up in Oklahoma and Kansas, she took great delight in listening to the then-new radio shows with Ora.

At Palco, KS High School, Marguerite met the love of her life, Melvin Desmarteau.  High School sweethearts, their loving marriage endured for 45 years.  Melvin had retained all the valentines he had received from her in a scrapbook.

At the age of 17, before certification was required, Marguerite taught all grades in a one-room school house in McCracken, KS.  Not only did she teach the children, she also prepared their lunches, kept the fire going, and cleaned the school house.   She also taught in South Ellis County, Ellsworth County, and taught 4th, 5th and 6th grades in Haysville, KS for 34 years.  She was respected as a brilliant and inspiring educator, and received a Master Educator award prior to her retirement.  She often received visits, letters, photos and phone calls from former students, who attributed to her the lessons and inspiration that turned their lives around.

Mel and Marguerite traveled extensively across the USA and Mexico with their two young daughters, and enjoyed trips to Europe and Alaska.  Melvin preceded her in death in 2002 and awaits her to dance the Tennessee Waltz, "their song".

Marguerite was a very gifted lady who loved to sing, play piano, paint, knit, sew and do arts and crafts.  Her beautiful hand-made cards will be treasured, especially the ones of Christmas 2011.  She always had a wonderful home-cooked meal on the table.   A beautiful light who touched so many lives, Marguerite has always taught and lead through example with her faith, courage, and caring and generous ways.

Marguerite had been on dialysis 3 days a week for the past five years and treasured the wonderful friends there who cared for her deeply.  She was recovering from breaking her hip during a fall November, 2011 on one of her many outings.  She was never one to be idle, and she participated in Harvest House, Rosary Group, Newman Book Club and Retired Teachers among other groups.

She loved traveling to small casinos in Oklahoma to enjoy this pastime with family and friends.   She had been looking forward to the new casino near Mulvane.  On the morning of her passing, she had planned on attending the grand opening with a group of family and friends.  A true portrait in courage, and calm, steadfast living, she was a genuine inspiration to those who knew and loved her.

Marguerite is survived by two daughters, Louise Desmarteau, who cared for her in the home they shared, and Julia Desmarteau of Goddard;  Brenda Redford who loved her like a daughter, along with several nieces and nephews who loved her as their own.  Treasuring all her family and friends, she especially enjoyed game days and family celebrations with Jim and Cheryl Donecker and Carla Homm, of Wichita; and the special visits and letters from niece Michelle Boyd of Jayess, MS, and of Diane Dennison of  Florida.  Marguerite also leaves behind her beloved Shautzie, a Bichon dog whom she became fondly attached to over the years.

She was preceded in death by Ora Edward Homes, Edith Pearl Grade-Holmes, and half-brother Edgar Hamilton Woolley, a brother, Ora Edward Homes, Jr.  a sister, Annys Pauline Conley, and sister Sarah Belle Simoneau, and husband Melvin Desmarteau.

She lived life with the kind of grace and dignity we would all be proud to aspire to.  She will be missed, and she will live on in our hearts forever.