Margaret Ann Anderson, 82, passed away peacefully with family by her side, March 29, 2010, after a long illness.

Margaret was born on Oct 27, 1927, to Gest and Ruth Ruthford at Matthews General Hospital in Burlington. When she was 3-weeks-old, her family moved to Grays Harbor where her father was superintendent of the Washington State Fish Hatchery. They moved back to Burlington in 1929 where she and her brother Dick were joined by twins Jack and Joan. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1945. In the summer of 1945 she enlisted in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corp, a branch of the military for women. It was the last class before the war ended. She also attended Western Washington University.

Margaret joined the Mount Vernon Assembly Rainbow for girls and became a charter member of the Burlington Assembly 102 in 1945. She joined Holly Chapter Order of Eastern Star in 1946 where she was a former officer and a life member after it merged with Mount Baker Chapter in Mount Vernon. She was also a member of Mount Vernon Elks 1604, Women of the Moose and Eagles Auxiliary of Burlington.

She met Richard F. Anderson and they were married in Burlington on Sept 17, 1949. In 1957 they moved to Southern California when Richard’s banking career took them to Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange and returned to Skagit County in 1966. They were married just 12 days shy of their 60th anniversary when Richard preceded her in death on Sept. 5, 2009.

Margaret is survived by her children, Mark Anderson of Mount Vernon, Joanie Cochran of Oak Harbor, Cathy Kester of Twisp and Jeff Anderson of Mount Vernon; grandchildren Rhonda Estep, Chris Anderson, Colby Cochran, Claire Cochran, Daniel Kester and Brittney Anderson; as well as seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister and brother, Joan Vance and Jack Ruthford, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Margaret was also preceded in death by her parents, Gest and Ruth Ruthford, and her brother Dick Ruthford.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 10, at 1 p.m. at Kern Funeral Home with a reception to follow in Kern’s Social Room. A gathering at the Mount Vernon Elks Lodge in Mom’s honor will be from 3 to 5 p.m.

We would like to thank the Golden Rule, Skagit Hospice, especially Jean and Dana, and her special aids at Mountain Glen for their loving care with mom. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.