Obituary of J. Margaret Stringer

J. Margaret Stringer, 81, of Kirkland Washington was called to her heavenly home Tuesday January 29th, 2019 with her beloved family by her side. She is survived by her three children, John (Cindi), Michele (David), Brian (Gabriela), grandchildren Heather, Brenna, Alicia and Hans, and brothers and sisters Elsie, David, Pat, Joyce, June, Carol and Michael. She is preceded in death by her husband of 21 years, Peter U. Stringer, her first husband of 26 years and loving father of her children, Donald M. Patterson, her brothers William and John, sister Barbara, and parents John and Martha White (Stokes). Margaret was born Monday, September 27th, 1937 in Nottingham England, where she lived and went to work in the retail and sewing industry after finishing her education at Cavendish Secondary School at age 15. She later met USAF Airman Don across a crowded dance room floor, and it was love at first sight. They were the first to be married at St. John’s Methodist church in 1957. They lived in Hunstanton England for a year, then left for a new life adventure as military newlyweds in the United States in 1958, where Margaret would gain further education in business. She and Don settled in Kirkland in 1965 where they raised their children, as a Boeing family. Margaret was devoted to being a wife and mother, but also worked part time in the fine jewelry business to help pay for her children’s music lessons and activities. At a very young age she was immersed in Christian faith which would become her lifelong support strength and witness, helping her through the trials of life, and teaching her to raise her children with patience, discipline and humility. She loved and treasured her family and friends, never missing a chance to celebrate, always sending a card, keeping the connection strong by gathering together, writing letters or talking across the distance of land and sea. Never without her camera, she was always taking pictures to capture what was most important to her; making memories with those she loved, and remembering them in her prayers every day, even until the end. Margaret’s love for God, His creation and His people was reflected in her devotion to daily praise and prayer, her church life and ministry, in her gently tending to the trees and flowers in her garden, through sharing her talent of knitting by giving handmade tea cozies and baby clothes as gifts, and blessing family, friends and strangers alike with her kind, caring and gentle spirit. She loved to travel, and in her last years experienced true joy in fulfilling a lifelong dream of trips to the Holy Land Israel in 2014, and with her son and family to Hawaii in 2018. Margaret was a lady above all else; always thankful, forgiving, steadfast, humble, generous, full of love- and of grace. Simply... lovely. Her soul shall now sing forever, she will surely be missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made through bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org A Memorial/Celebration of Life service will be held at Woodinville Community Methodist Church Saturday April 6th at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, with an English Tea reception to follow.