Margaret Sharon Soth

Margaret met Richard, her husband of almost 61 years, at a dance in the Student Union Building at their alma mater, Western Washington University, just days before the start of her freshman year in the fall of 1960. They married a little over a year later in a Christmas wedding on December 22, 1961. The couple would share the rest of their lives together. Since meeting at the dance, they were virtually inseparable and that will be true in the afterlife: Richard passed away only a few short months ago.

Margaret was born at St. Luke's Hospital in Bellingham (where she eventually would deliver all three of her sons) in the middle of World War II, July 31, 1942. She was raised by her loving parents, Jon and Gloria Ashburn, on the shores of Lake Whatcom in the Silver Beach neighborhood, surrounded by a large, extended family that revolved around Margaret’s grandparents, Owen and Ruby Gilfilen.

Throughout her life, Margaret shared a close bond with her late, younger sister Carolyn Rawls. In 1979 the sisters would go on to open a small business together, Patchwork Pantry, which prompted Carolyn's relocation to Snohomish from Bellingham. Margaret's father was a highly regarded educator and community leader in Bellingham, and he led his oldest daughter and son in-law into careers in education.

Margaret possessed a remarkable intellect and was a standout student. She graduated from Bellingham High School, where she was her class salutatorian and editor of the school newspaper. Margaret was an outstanding writer and a voracious reader. She taught hundreds of Snohomish students the art of writing and was known for her wry, witty poems on the retirements and other special occasions of her colleagues.

As a young adult, Margaret sacrificed her own career to focus on raising her three boys. As her children matured, she returned to her chosen vocation, completed her degree, with honors, and obtained her teaching certificate at Western Washington University, majoring in English.

Margaret's career focused on junior high English language instruction, and she excelled at teaching the art of writing. She taught for nearly twenty years at Snohomish Middle School before moving to Centennial Middle School in 2002, where she also taught advanced placement and guided students in the Future Problem Solving Program, developing students’ ability to compete in solving complex community and global problems.

Perhaps best known in her professional life as President of the Snohomish Education Association, Margaret would be elected by her peers to that leadership position many times over the course of her career. She was a proud, fierce advocate for teachers, the teaching profession, and public education. Her leadership role would bring her in contact with politicians and education policy, and she served as a mentor to countless colleagues. At the end of her career she was recognized for her contributions to the broader education community by the Washington Education Association.

Margaret loved baseball. She grew up with her dad's fast pitch softball teams, played catcher as a girl herself, and would spend countless hours watching her cherished sons. Margaret and Richard watched the Seattle Mariners play over a hundred games every year .

She was blessed with a green thumb and enjoyed whiling away the hours in her yard and garden. For several years, her home was part of Snohomish's Garden Tour.

Margaret is predeceased by her husband, Richard; parents, Jon and Gloria Ashburn; and sister, Carolyn Rawls. Survivors include sons Jonathan (wife Kari), William, and Jeffrey (wife Danette Sack); grandchildren Whitney Erickson (husband Will), Madison Merriman (husband Andrew), and Elizabeth (Ellie); and great grandchildren Miles, Harvey, and Wade Erickson, and Anderson Merriman.

Margaret Soth was a member of Snohomish's First Baptist Church and services will be held there at 1pm on April 14 (The First Baptist/The Bridge Church, 2500 Lake Avenue, Snohomish, WA 98290).

In lieu of flowers, Margaret's family encourages you to consider a donation to Snohomish Education Foundation: www.snoed.org/donate

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bauerfuneralchapel.com for the Soth family.