Margie A. Watkins, 76, a retired senior companion, died Friday, Dec. 28, 2001, at her daughter's home in Pleasant Grove, Utah, of cancer.
Funeral services will begin with viewing at 1 p.m. and services at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Havre, with Brother Jim
Edwards presiding. Fellowship luncheon to follow funeral service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Committal will be at the Geraldine Cemetery with viewing at the Geraldine United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. and a graveside service at 1 p.m. Thursday.
Margie was born April 9, 1925, to George B. and Thelma D. (Hartsock) Kelly at Kolin. She was educated in Utica and Philbrook. Margie grew up and lived in and around Judith Basin County.
On July 30, 1941, Margie married Arthur Frank Watkins at Lewistown. To this union six children were born. Arthur, a mechanic, died in 1976. In 1963, they moved to Geraldine, where she was a Chouteau County home attendant for 11 years. She then worked for the Geraldine Youth Center for three years.
In 1982, she moved to Havre and lived here until her illness dictated otherwise. She went to Pleasant Grove, Utah, where she passed away peacefully after a valiant struggle with cancer. Margie was a senior companion for 13 years, until her illness forced her to retire.
Margie was an active member of the Eagles Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Northern Montana Hospital Auxiliary and AARP. Her greatest love was being a senior companion. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George B. and Thelma D. (Hartsock) Kelly; husband, Arthur Watkins; brother, Herb Kelly; special longtime companion, Ray Riggin.
Survivors include her daughters, Sheila R. (Thomas) Harper of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Ruby (Gerald) Soderquist of Salt Lake City, Kathy (Russell) Beck of Havre; sons, William (Betty) Watkins of Fountain, Colo., George (Susie) Watkins of Hobson, Daniel (Ellen) Watkins of Lewistown; brothers, Jack Kelly of Tucson, Ariz., James Kelly of Spokane, Wash., Reece Kelly of Ft. Lewis, Colo.; sisters, Georgie Vasseur of Billings, Rosie Manicke of Whitefish, Laura Cunningham of Rhome, Texas, Thelma Watkins of Stanford, Carolyn Thomson of Helena, Eloise Harrison of Astoria, Ore.; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Senior Companion Program, Rocky Mountain Development Council, c/o Amy Taylor, P.O. Box 1717, Helena, MT 59642.
Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.
