Margaret Bradford

Margaret was a nurturing, compassionate woman who lived her faith daily by example. Although she was a take-charge woman, she was always sensitive to the needs of others. She was the perfect compliment to her husband who was the epitome of a gentleman. To Margaret, other people always came first and she was forever the caregiver.

In 1917 the world was in a state of turmoil. The United States officially declared war on Germany on April 6th and American troops were sent to France. However, for John and Mabel (Dalman) Grant life was good. On January 5, 1917 the couple welcomed their first child, Margaret, into their family home in Blendon Township.

Growing up as the oldest of eight children on a small farm during The Depression, life was full of hardships. Three of Margaret’s siblings would die at young ages, and like many children of the time Margaret had regular chores. However, hard work did not keep Margaret from pursuing her education. Although many girls at the time left school at an early age, Margaret continued her education, graduating from Grandville High School in 1935. Even after graduation Margaret remained close to her classmates and would even help arrange their high school reunion sixty years later.

As the oldest child, Margaret’s first priority was also caring for her family. Her mother could always depend on Margaret to help with the other children, the youngest of which was born during her senior year of high school. Between her chores, school, and family, it was remarkable that Margaret had any spare time, but during her last year of high school and the year following, Margaret took a job at a grocery store, saving her money in order that she could attend Butterworth School of Nursing. Margaret’s hard work paid off, and in 1940 she graduated school as a Registered Nurse.

Because Margaret had great skill as a nurse, she had no trouble finding a job, and she started work at Butterworth Hospital. True to her personality, Margaret would get to know the families of her patients. As fate would have it, she was introduced to one of her patient's sons, Louis Bradford. After constant pressure from Louis’ sister-in-law, the two started a relationship and were married on November 24, 1943. After their marriage, the two would enjoy most of their married years on Cheshire Street.

Margaret loved nursing and continued to work as a surgical nurse before finding jobs in doctor’s offices. She stopped nursing professionally only for a few years to care for her two children, Barry and Marcia, when they were young. As the kids were growing up, Margaret ran the house. She was an organizer, and in Margaret’s opinion, her way was the only way to do things. Margaret ran her family with the same structure she ran a doctor’s office. Family dinners were always at 6 pm and everyone had to be present. Devotions promptly followed dinner and then the two kids would do the dishes. Margaret was very dedicated to her children and she and Louis never missed one of their children’s events. Musicals, plays, concerts, they were at them all.

Although busy with her children, Margaret continued to help others. A nurturing woman, Margaret always helped the neighbors when they were sick and also volunteered at Gull Lake and other places. A devoted daughter, Margaret still found time to care for her mother. The children had many memories of riding the bus with their mother, transferring buses downtown and spending the rest of the day at their grandparent’s house so Margaret could care for her sick mother. When Margaret’s mother passed away her youngest sister was only twenty-two, so Margaret took over the role as “mother” to the entire family, taking charge and offering guidance to her younger siblings.

Despite being very busy, Margaret did take time to relax. She and Louis spent their summers at their favorite place: the cottage on Gull Lake. Although she was not terribly fond of the water, she would go for her annual year-end boat ride and on really hot days, enjoyed lounging on a tube or chair in the water, with a rope hooked from her foot to the dock in order to make sure she wouldn’t drift too far.

Even on vacation, Margaret enforced the same structure and religious dedication as she did at home. She strongly guided her children while at the cottage, making sure the kids went to the Children’s Program at Bible camp. While at home the children were expected to attend catechism and she personally was at church three times a week: twice on Sunday and a third time for Wednesday night Bible study. Not only did she never miss church at Berean Baptist Church, she followed daily devotions and worked to memorize songs even on her days off. Margaret believed in living her faith by example and she was always very active at church.

Margaret was not one to let life pass her by. She liked staying busy and much preferred doing crafts she found in her craft books such as decorating sweatshirts, cross stitching, and working with plastic canvas. She also loved to make strawberry jam, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. She also loved to bake, always making sure there were enough in the house for Louis who loved dessert.

Besides crafting and baking, Margaret loved to listen to Sacred Music, and had quite the collection of records, then cassettes and even CD’s. Music was always playing in the background of Margaret’s home; she particularly liked songs by George Beverly Shea. If not a recording, then the radio was set to WCSG or WFUR.

She loved to shop and buy clothing. She had special relationships with store clerks at Steketee’s and Talbots who would call her if things came in that she would like. She would rush over, and if the price was right, would buy them. Like many people from the Depression, however, she was a bargain shopper to the point where grocery shopping was done at five stores in order to reap the benefits of the deals at each. She particularly loved giving Christmas gifts. She never had much growing up, so made sure that none of her family ever had to go without plenty of gifts for Christmas

Margaret’s retirement years were spent much like the rest of her life: Busy. She enjoyed trips to Florida, traveling with friends, playing Yahtzee and Scrabble. They and their four couple friends, “the big 10”, enjoyed activities together, ranging from football games to dinners to traveling together.

When Louis died in 1994, she had a hard time initially, but true to her character, she decided to make the decision to move on and not look back. She was not nostalgic, and liked to look forward. She eventually knew it was time to sell the family home, and she moved to Michigan Christian Home where she lived for about 5 years.

After a full life, Margaret Bradford entered eternal glory on December 5, 2003. She remained strong and independent up until her final days, even trying to “call the shots” at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Margaret was preceded in death by her dear husband Louis in 1994. She is survived by her children Barry and Pam Bradford and Marcia and Dennis Kowalczyk; grandchildren Mark, Michael and Terri, and Scott Kowalczyk; great granddaughter Natasha; brother Harold (Carol) Grant; sister Mary (Bud) VanderWeide; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 8 2003 at 1 PM at Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with her family at the funeral chapel on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. To read Margaret’s full life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Gull Lake Bible Conference or Berean Baptist church, please visit Margaret’s personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com.