Margaret Ellis Campbell, 73
Feb. 27, 1949 — Nov. 7, 2022
Margaret Ellis Campbell, nee Gish, was born Feb. 27, 1949, in Everett, Wash., to parents Clifford and Dorothy Gish. She went to her father in heaven Nov. 7, 2022, after fighting a courageous fight with cancer and chose to “laugh and live” rather than “cry and die." She was preceded in death by parents, aunts, uncles and four cousins. Margaret is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Donald Campbell, and sons Roderick I. Campbell and Alexander C. Campbell. She is also survived by siblings Thomas A. Gish (Judy), Marilyn K. Young, nee Gish (George), and Steven C. Gish (Jeanette). Also, sister-in-law Cathy A. Thomas, nee Campbell (Herb) and brother-in-law Thomas A. Campbell (Stephanie). She leaves 19 nieces, nephews and cousins. Margaret had a number of lifelong friends she made during life’s journey.
Margaret grew up in Everett, Wash., attending Everett High School. She graduated in 1967 and attended University of Puget Sound, graduating in 1971 with a degree in education. There, she met her husband, Don, and they were married Aug. 7, 1971. While accompanying Don in their moves, she became a banker, LPN and realtor; but her real love was teaching, and she taught 21 years in the Coeur d’Alene school district. The family settled down in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, first in 1977 and finally in 1982, where they remained until 2014, when they moved to Anacortes to be close to family and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, where she sought treatment after being diagnosed in 2013.
During the nine-plus years of battling cancer, her motto has always been, “Laugh and live, not cry and die." Following this motto, Don and Margaret lived life and made trips to Italy, Scotland, Mexico and Hawaii. They also enjoyed going to Australia, New Zealand and a special trip where they took their sons to England and France. Mexico and Hawaii had become annual trips. A highlight trip was when she and five close lifelong Everett friends, Susie, Jenn, Sue, Mary and Sally, went to New York in 2019 to celebrate their 70th birthdays and appeared on NBC’s The Today Show.
Margaret was very active in First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene and Westminster Church in Anacortes. She started several ministries, including Junior Church, Prayer Shawls, Meal Train and, most important to her, Cancer Companions. She was also a Deacon, Bible Study leader and Sunday School teacher.
Margaret’s cancer progressed, and in July 2022, with there being no more treatments available, came under the care of Hospice and home healthcare. This allowed Margaret to remain at home, surrounded by family and friends until she passed away.
Throughout her life, she enjoyed golf, snow and water skiing, swimming, scuba diving, taking long walks and whale watching with Don. Margaret was kind, generous and supportive to all she met and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Cancer Companions c/o of Westminster Church or your favorite charity.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Nov. 20, 2022, at 1 p.m.
To share memories of Margaret, please visit www.evanschapel.com/obituary/margaret-campbell.
