Margaret Westman
Margaret Westman loved to dance when growing up in Bellingham. One night while waltzing across the floor of the Eagles Club she met her soon to be husband Eythor "Ches" Westman. Ches became a master fisherman and was absent 9 -10 months from home each year between fishing and traveling to find fish. Margaret, at 88, recalls that raising three children and running the house kept her very busy while he was away. Her mom was from the Haggen family and dad was an Olson. Both were hard working Scandinavians and told their kids to help with chores, "no work - no eat."
Margaret loves to laugh, at times so loudly and enthusiastically it makes you want to laugh with her. "I learned as a kid, that when you can laugh during the hard times, things don't seem as bad as they might be." Over the years Ches, a daughter Yvonne and son Gary have "gone to be with the Lord." Her life hasn't always been easy but her faith has kept her going through the long days and nights. Today, she has just come home from the beauty shop and grocery store. Tomorrow she will take a salad made from a "new recipe" and her "best laugh" to the Haggen family picnic.
When we reach out and embrace our neighbors we see pictures that enhance everyday life in our own international community.
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