Margaret A. McLean

Margaret Ann Wilson McLean was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on June 22, 1916. She was brought up in very humble surroundings by a strong-minded, but kind Southern Baptist mother (Melissa Milliner) and a hard-working, free-spirited father (Samuel Wilson). What they lacked in money, they made up for in grit. Although she was an only child, she was raised with various extended family members, making for a colorful cast of characters that influenced her unique outlook on life and her remarkable inner strength. Her father, whom she loved dearly, died when she was twelve. Her mother remarried two more times and each stepfather (Jeff Turner and Roy Wheeler) became an important part of Margaret’s life.

Margaret spent summers with her aunt Hattie, who owned the Riverside Hotel in the small mountain town of Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado. It was in Hot Sulphur at age 6 that she met and later married Barney McLean, the quiet kid and eventual ski legend from equally humble beginnings. They started their lives together on May 1, 1937 with no money, very little belongings, but lots of love and determination. Thus began the lasting story of commitment, purpose, enduring life’s ups and downs, and a joint passion for life. A love story that never ends.

Barney may have been “a man who matched the mountains,” but he had a rock for a partner in Margaret. She was feisty, funny, challenging, brilliant, inspiring, glamorous, and down to earth. We are blessed to have known her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the MARGARET MCLEAN MEMORIAL FUND at First Bank of Arvada, (6355 Ward Road, Arvada, CO 80004). Funds will be used for historical preservation in Grand County, where Barney and Margaret first met and began their long and wonderful life together.

“Let us not love in just word or speech, but in deed and truth.”

John 3:18

Margaret’s was a life well lived. Honor that by making a pan of her brownies or a cheesecake. Share it with loved ones and tell a “Margaret story.”

To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.

~ Tomas Campbell

Margaret is survived by her loving daughter Melissa &(Hoot) McLean-Jory, grand-daughters Piper and Tevis Jory, grandsons Decker &(Jessie) Jory, and Griffin &(Grace) Jory, one great grand-daughter Lachlan Jory. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Barney McLean.

Memorial services Monday, October 29, 2012, 2pm, in the Pavailion of Reflection located on the grounds of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery.