Was born on February 3, 1952 to Louella Friedlander and Michael Madera in Toppenish WA. She lived much of her childhood in Toppenish, WA; Athena, Oregon and Spokane, WA. She moved to Seattle, WA in the 1970’s and met the love of her life Pedro Sanchez Diaz. On October 15, 1975 she joyfully welcomed her son Reymundo Pedro Diaz into the world.
Reymundo met Nebeesh Shognosh-Diaz, while they were both students at the University of Notre Dame, IN. Their marriage and union brought to Margaret her three grandchildren; Wahbzii, Neetahwis and Emiigwed. While they live in Ontario, Canada, it was with weekly phone calls they remained connected.
Margaret was an avid letter writer. If you were so blessed to receive one of her letters you were gifted to knowing truly how much she observed the world around her. While a long-time resident of Nespelem from the mid 1980’s into the mid 1990’s she enjoyed participating in her culture, traveling with her mom to various Longhouses for feasts and ceremonies. She especially LOVED Pow wows. She would dance every inter-tribal and enjoyed watching the various contests. She also loved to accompany her mom to play BINGO often going to the homelands of her Yaya at Couer d’Alene tribe in Worley, Idaho. Margaret LOVED music, especially Motown and could name a song in the first few notes of it playing. When one was around her while she listened to her greats, you could see her in her most peaceful place on earth.
Margaret’s health had been failing for the last few years. She was living in Wenatchee and Spokane at various Long Term Care facilities. She was a resident of the North Central Care Center at the time of her passing.
She was preceeded to our Ancestors by her beloved Yaya Margaret Lavallee Friedlander, Selah Samuel George Friedlander, mother Louella Regina Friedlander, brothers Michael Madera Jr., Jess Felix Madera and Spokane Garry Gourneau. She is survived by her son Reymundo (Nebeesh) Diaz (Wallaceburg, ON), granddaughter Wahbzii Shognosh-Diaz (Penetanguishene, ON), grandsons; Neetahwis Shognosh-Diaz and Emiigwed Shognosh-Diaz (both of Wallaceburg, ON). Sisters; Marcella (Gary) Adolph (St. Ignatius, MT), Colleen (Rodney) Cawston (Coulee Dam, WA), Susie Friedlander (Tacoma, WA) and Alene (Mike) Clayton (Spokane Valley, WA) and numerous nieces and nephews. She was raised as siblings with dozens of cousins all who will be missing Margaret’s infectious laugh.
Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee, Washington is serving Margaret’s family.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.stratefuneral.com for her family.
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