Margaret Ann Gorton

Published 10:30 am Monday, May 14, 2018

August 1, 1936 – April 20, 2018

Margaret Ann Gorton, her heart rejoicing, was received from the loving embraces of her husband and sons at 10:45am, April 20, 2018, to Jesus Christ, that she may be where He is (Jn. 14:3). Having survived lymphoma with a 12-year remission, she succumbed to its side effect, myelodysplastic syndrome. Through it all, she worshiped God. As a result, she outlived her prognosis for MDS by 35 months. Perceiving her hour, she chose hospice.

Marg was born a first generation Norwegian in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 1, 1936, to Anna Margaret Tobeissen Lassen and Eivind Urdahl Lassen. She and Philip Gorton captivated each other during a three-way blind date upon her arrival at Purdue; as a Chi Omega pledge, she accepted his Pi Kappa Phi pin December 10, 1954, to seal their commitment. They married June 28,1958, soon after her graduation with a BSHE degree.

“A favorite with everybody at the Bay (Whitefish Bay High School Tower) – a real business woman – treasurer of her sophomore class – credit for the social section of the Tower goes to Marg – truly a pleasing personality.” She also liked slumber parties, sport games and meets, ice-skate racing, sock hops, proms, choir and orchestra (violin). Fifty years later, “I loved being a stay-at-home mom, and wore many hats from Girl Scout leader, den mother, room mother, chauffeur, and proud audience/cheering-section member at many recitals, choir concerts, and sports events. When the kids were older, I was a substitute teacher for a few years. My interests drew me into a school secretarial position, and then other administrative-assistant jobs as we moved, having lived in nine states from coast to coast. I’m currently involved in church activities, Bible study, and volunteering at our Bend hospital, providing – hearing screenings for newborns.”

Over the years, Marg immersed herself in the splendor of God’s creations: peaceful rivers, sparkling northern Wisconsin lakes, meeting a black bear on a Timberline Trail, climbing Mt. Lassen, 4 moose grazing her Rocky Mountain site, exploring the wonders of the Canadian Rockies, Columbia Glacier calving viewed close by, a roaring chocolate-colored waterfall, Kauai, Yachats, Upper Priest Lake, winter storms at Depoe Bay, a rare orca gathering off Vancouver Island, 20 grizzles snagging fish, Alaskan cruise, White-Pass train ride, Wallowa Lake, a buffalo in her Yellowstone site, just for teasers.

Marg’s life-long theme song was, “Because He [Christ] lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives.” Thus, love for her friends was such a big part of who she was. She now desires that her heartfelt thankfulness be expressed to each of you, particularly the many unknown blood donors who sustained her, for making her life “worth the living.”

Marg perceived each member of her family as a precious blessing from God. Surviving her are her husband (Phil); three children (Elizabeth Greer, Jon, and David); three grandchildren (Michelle Branch, Jon, and James); and brother (Larry Lassen).

Marg’s life will be celebrated at the Bend Church of the Nazarene, 1270 NE 27th Street, Thursday, May 24 at 11:30am. Should you wish to “store up your treasures in Heaven” along side Marg’s, please help World Vision as they strive to alleviate the East African hunger crisis. All donations for this cause will be matched eight times (a sign of crisis severity). – Call 1-888-511-6467 and mention Marg’s name.