Cloudy, 29° F
(May 21, 1923 - April 28, 2018)
Margaret Elaine Gillett Shumway, longtime Powell resident, passed away on April 28, 2018, in her home surrounded by family and caregivers. She was 94.
Margaret was born in Powell, Wyoming, on May 21, 1923. She was the oldest of five children of Lyle Gillett and Clara Althoff Gillett.
She graduated from Powell High School and married Charles H. Shumway on May 5, 1941, in Red Lodge, Montana. Charles and Margaret and four children made their home on a farm west of Powell. Margaret was dedicated to helping her husband farm, raising their children and enjoying her grandchildren, family and friends.
Margaret was an excellent cook and seamstress. Margaret and Charles created a life together focusing on their family and farming.
The Shumways celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2011, prior to Charles’s death in November.
Margaret had a quiet strength and a positive attitude. She was a caregiver in her heart and in later years, found herself receiving care. Even with life’s challenges in the most difficult of times, Margaret remained positive and desired to help others. She loved people, had a wonderful sense of humor and lived her faith.
Margaret is survived by her sister Patricia Gillett Ley (Rapid City); and four children: Douglas (Sandi) Shumway, Sharon Shumway, Shirley (Denny) Benson and Daniel (Dianne) Shumway; seven grandchildren: Charles F. Shumway, Kelly (Clint)Thronburg, Karen (Lee) Elton, Sheldon (Sheila) Sankey, Shelly (Jim) Kindt, Susan (Tim) Duyck, and Cindy (Spencer) Fry; 14 great-grandchildren: Quinn (Cassidy) Shumway, Brook (Ben) Loyning, C.J. Thronburg, Tiffany (Zach) Brando, Leslie (Reed) Hackworth, Casey Elton, Cory (Lindzey) Elton, Bradley Sankey, Breydon Sankey, Tayler Kindt, Hunter Kindt, Audrey Duyck, Case Duyck and Scarlett Duyck; and five great-great-grandchildren: Will Loyning, Sam Loyning, Gus Loyning, Josie Loyning and Jennifer Elton.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Charles; three siblings: Lois Gillett Lynn, Joyce Gillett Miller, and Don Gillett; and great-granddaughter, Taylor Shumway (Charles F.).
Caregivers, physician and family provided compassionate loving care to Margaret in her home for many years. Visits from her children and their families and friends were often a highlight in her day, along with her daily ride to town.
Services will be held at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church on Thursday, May 3, at 1:30 p.m.
She will be laid to rest in Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell.
