Margaret Louise Gilbert

Margaret Louise Gilbert, 95, passed away  Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Salt River Nursing Home in Shelbina, Mo.

Margaret was born September 27, 1926 in Shelby County, the daughter of Emmett Milton and Louise (Murray) Wood. She was united in marriage to Henry McClintock on November 26, 1946. In 1978 Margaret married Harold Gilbert.

She is survived by her children, Dena Gulick of Shelbina, James McClintock of Macon, Jerry McClintock and wife Ann of Shelbina, son-law John Buckwalter of Kirksville, Lee Hanes and husband Wade of Nevada, Mary Maddox of Macon, Joseph McClintock and wife Vivian of Rolla; adopted daughter Antonia Maloney of Monroe City; one sister, Geneva McCubbin.

Margaret is survived by 34 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Henry and husband Harold; a daughter Amy Lou Buckwalter, three brothers, George, Murray and David Wood; and five sisters, Rena Dale, Winnie Reynolds, Mary Ellen Dodd, Susie Heathman Spencer and Nina Smith.

Margaret was the eldest daughter of ten children raised with a deep appreciation for hard work and quiet sacrifices often required to survive an upbringing on a Shelby County rural farm during the depression. She more often spoke of the good times shared with her family and less of the struggles of this period. When she did speak of the past struggles, it was often expressed with appreciation for how little it took to sustain life and happiness.

Margaret attended nursing school in Kirksville, for two years before she started a family. She was employed by the Hannibal Clinic between 1963 and 1977. Her co-workers became close friends as she maintained frequent contact with many after her retirement.

One of Margaret’s first efforts to volunteer took place during WWII as she collected scrape metal to support war efforts. The spirit of volunteerism was frequently offered to the communities where she lived in Northeast Missouri. Margaret often donated her talent of sewing for numerous missions which included supporting Native American Reservations in Oklahoma. Her efforts were done both in person and remotely. Margaret organized Red Cross blood drives in Shelbina for many years often providing refreshments for the donors. As part of the Salt River Nursing Home Auxiliary, Margaret delivered mail to residents often taking time to visit with each individual. She was always willing to provide her cooking skills to a local benefit. Together with her sisters, Mary Ellen, Susie and Nina, Margaret contributed dishes and baked goods for fund raisers. The sisters were instrumental in starting and supporting Northeast Missouri Old Threshers Organization. Together they frequently volunteered time to support fundraisers and events. Besides cooking, Margaret’s principle role for years was to recruit volunteers to work the annual NEMO reunions which often included her children, nieces and nephews which made working in the ‘food shack’ a true family event.

Outside of the volunteering for the community and NEMO, Margaret and her sisters shared many travel adventures during their retirement years. The sisters created good memories traveling to New England the East Coast and the Southern portions of the United States.

Margaret loved her life on the farm in supporting Harold’s hobby of horse pulling which prompted countless hours of traveling to many events throughout the Midwest. She kept meticulous records during each event and often was asked to be the announcer during the horse pulls.  Aside of her passion for canning and cooking, Margaret created baby quilts for each grandchild as well as for other infants. Nearly every quilt contained hand embroidery. Every quilt was a labor of love.

Margaret best spoke her love for family and community by her actions, by doing what she was able to do all for the sake of fulfilling a need for others.  Her example as a mother and grandmother, a wife, a sister and a citizen volunteer is her legacy and will live on in the hearts of those she loved.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 25,  at Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home in Shelbina, at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at funeral home in Shelbina. An Eastern Star service will begin at 4:45 p.m. Burial will be at the Woods Cemetery following the service.

Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church, Northeast Missouri Old Threshers, or the Eastern Star.