Margaret Ann Harpine

Margaret was born in Madison Co. VA on March 15, 1936 to Robert Walker Aylor and Eliza Ann (Rosson) Aylor. She was always proud of her Madison heritage even though she spent her adult life in Culpeper. Her family had unique elements, one being that her father picked her mother out to be his bride when Eliza was just a baby and he was 22yo. And, according to Margaret, he waited patiently for 18 years for that to happen. Patience was a trait that was passed on to her. Margaret was the epitome of giving. She was a caregiver to all of her family, both immediate and extended. Having both of her parents die when she was young, her father passed away when she was 3 and her mother when she was 16, Margaret became incredibly close to all of her aunts on her Mother's side. She spent lot's of time with them and their families, and was always ready to do anything she could for them. She was especially close to her Aunt Amy (Hawkins), and to her husband Beverly's parents Jack and Evelyn Harpine. She always commented on how beautifully her in-laws welcomed her into their family and she loved them very much. That affection caused Margaret not to hesitate in caring for her Aunt Amy and Evelyn as they battled Alzheimer's in their later years. Her giving truly seemed to have no boundaries.

Margaret was a doer, not someone to sit idly by. She loved the outdoors and was the perfect helpmate to a husband who loved to garden. She tolerated trays of seedlings started indoors before the season, and happily participated in their planting and care. She loved watching things grow - vegetables and flowers. And she certainly made good use of the bounty as she canned all types of produce(basement shelves would be filled) and shared vegetables with friends and neighbors. Margaret loved being busy in other ways outside such as mowing, weed eating, trimming hedges - whatever she was physically able to do. It made her feel good about her day to have accomplished such things. Her door was always open to friends and family, whether that meant sharing a cup of coffee or a meal. She was no stranger to the kitchen and loved cooking for others. She was known for her pork BBQ and coleslaw, as well as her mac and cheese and let us not forget the 14 day sweet pickles. Either of those could fill seats around the table, but if you couldn't make it over, she would just as quickly fill dishes and deliver it to your door.

Margaret was active in the Culpeper Presbyterian Church. She loved cutting and serving desserts for the Manna Ministry, and had many friends there that cared for her. And Margaret loved music. She adored the old familiar hymns from growing up in Madison, and adopted many favorites from her mother-in-law Evelyn. She loved singing and played the piano "by ear", meaning if she heard it, she could figure out how to play it. If her brothers Claude and Robert were around you could expect to hear beautiful harmonies around that piano as she played those favorite hymns. But she could wind the piano keys up equally well with a rendition of "Boogie Woogie Shoe Shine Boy". Her heart was a song.

Margaret was most comfortable at home enjoying her children and grandchildren. She was affectionately known as "Mamaw" and when she was around the kids knew there was fun to be had. They remember her as the grandma that would get down on the floor and play with them, read great stories to them and share lots and lots of laughter. She made the most of her time with them when they were young, and forever captured their hearts.

Her grandchildren Robbie and Brooke like to remember her this way. "She was kindness and warmth personified, and made all of our time with her special". "I'll treasure all of the memories I have of her. Mamaw was truly one of a kind and so special. She had a quiet strength and the sassiest sense of humor".

Her granddaughters Ashton and Caylie add “As a woman who grew up with nothing. She taught us all the importance of appreciating what you have, and not letting anything go to waste. Most importantly time with the people you love most. She would do anything to not only bring joy to those around her but make everyone feel like family in her home - starting with a simple glass of sweet tea or a snack. Her grandson Luke enjoyed spending time with her watching TV or her watching him play a video game. She had a way of honoring, and creating a special relationship with each of her grandchildren with no expectation meeting them where they were.

Margaret is survived by her daughter Debbie Harpine Blosser and her husband Robert Colmand Blosser IV, and her son Greg Allen Harpine and his wife Melissa Dean Harpine. Grandchildren: Robert Colmand Blosser V and his wife Jackie, Amy Brooke (Blosser) Mendonsa and her husband Jeremy, Ashton (Harpine) Beard and her husband Carson, Caylie Harpine and Luke Harpine. Great Grandchildren: Robert Colmand Blosser VI and Mary Katherine Blosser, and Gemma Katherine, Joshua Reilly and Carys Analee Mendonsa.

She was preceded in death by her husband Beverly Allen Harpine, her parents and her siblings Sarah Lewis, Claude Aylor, Mary Aylor and Robert Aylor.

A celebration of Margaret's life will be held for friends and family at Mountain Run Lake Winery on a date to yet be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Manna Ministries of the Culpeper Presbyterian Church, SAFE, or St. Jude’s.