Margaret Walters of Port Ludlow, passed away on January 24th, 2024, at the age of 84, in Mukilteo, Washington. Margaret was born Margaret Aileen Kossow on August 9th, 1939, in Gridley, California. After graduating from high school in Paradise, California, she left home for the big city, moving to San Francisco at the age of 17. There, while volunteering at a USO club, she met a young sailor, Gary Walters, and as newlyweds, they set off on a life of adventure as Gary pursued a career in the US Navy. Margaret packed and unpacked boxes in many new homes, from Hawaii, to California, Nevada, Scotland, Washington State, Florida, and finally back to Washington. Along the way, they raised three daughters, and Margaret also worked in administrative roles for the Navy. When their children had flown the nest, Margaret and Gary bought a farm, and Margaret immersed herself in raising Romney sheep and learning all about fiber arts, including spinning, knitting, and weaving. They became fixtures in the local sheep community, showing sheep and fleeces at county and state fairs in Washington, Oregon, and across the country. Margaret was also active in the American Romney Breeders Association. Margaret and Gary sold their farm and moved to Port Ludlow in 2013. Gary passed away in 2014, and Margaret then split her time between Port Ludlow and Bisbee, Arizona, when she wasn’t touring the country in a small RV, with a procession of rescued standard poodles as her much-loved traveling companions. She leaves behind three daughters, Katrina Kerrigan (Bil), Lori Hope (Robert), and JoDee Walters (Paul Swindells), two grandchildren, Kate Thaete (Matt) and Liam Kerrigan, and three great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held in April at a place dear to her heart. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org), or the pet charity of your choice.
