Margaret Densmore Morse Eagle passed away in her apartment at Hunters Pointe retirement community in Helena, Montana on January 20, 2021 at the age of 100.
Margaret was born on May 11, 1920 in Anaconda, Montana to Charles Woodman and Alice Winifred Cornelius Morse. She graduated from Anaconda High School in 1938, attended Colorado Women’s College for one year, and graduated from Montana State College in 1942 with a degree in Home Economics. She taught school in Sheridan, Montana for one year after college. On November 23, 1943, she married Harold L. Eagle in Seattle, Washington. Harold, first worked for Pan Am Airlines as an engineer, but later joined the Navy and was stationed in Honolulu while Margaret worked in San Mateo, California. When his service was completed, they continued to reside in San Mateo where their daughter Susan was born. The Eagles longed to return to their home state of Montana, so in 1947 Harold accepted a job with Morrison-Maierle Consulting Engineers in Helena. Margaret cared for their growing family as they welcomed another daughter, Joan, and two sons, Alan and David, to their family.
Margaret was active in her church, Home Economics, Helena Weavers Guild, and Pi Phi Sorority activities, singing, and gardening throughout her life. The Eagles built a cabin on the Bridger Bowl ski hill where she enjoyed skiing through age 80. She was a charter member of Covenant United Methodist Church and sang with the church choir into her late nineties. For many years she and her husband enjoyed many pack trips with their 3 horses and 2 Shetland mules.
Her last few years were spent at Hunters Pointe where she was known as Smiley. She indeed had a cheerful personality to the very end of her life. Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins proclaimed May 11, 2020 as Margaret Morse Eagle Day in honor of her 100th birthday. He also sang one of her favorite songs to her, “His Eye is on the Sparrow”, as part of a socially distant celebration outside Hunters Pointe.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, infant son Charles, brother Charles Woodman Morse, and sister Alice Morse. She is survived by her four children – Susan Reynolds of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania; Joan Goldstein of Bigfork, Montana; H. (Harold) Alan Eagle of Roy, Washington; and David Eagle of Spokane, Washington; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and numerous relatives.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Margaret’s name can be made to Covenant United Methodist Church, 2330 East Broadway, Helena, MT 59601
You are invited to join us virtually for Margaret’s memorial service via YouTube. You may attend at your convenience by clicking on the link below:
https://sites.google.com/view/margareteagle
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Mary Phelps says
What a marvelous life she had. Wonderful neighbor for many years. Our sympathy to her precious family.
“Mike” & Charlie Phelps
Vivienne Herron says
What a wonderfully remarkable lady. She so lovingly offered welcome and friendship to a church & neighborhood newcomer! She will be so missed by so many. Rest In Peace, my friend. Condolences and God’s Peace to all of Margaret’s beloved.
Viv
Carol Eckberg Frisch says
David,
I was sorry to read the passing of your mother. What a kind
and lovely soul. My thoughts are prayers are with you and
your family.
Carol Eckberg Frisch
Hal Roys says
Margaret was such a wonderful friend to my family. I remember so many visits growing up in Helena, and her warm hostess efforts at the ski cabin at Bridger. She and my Mother went way back, sorority sisters, and my Father and Harold were childhood buddies. What a special family she had and a great, long life she lived. Blessings in the Lord to you family and loved ones.
Hal
Shawn Leary Perez says
I am so sorry to hear about Margaret’s passing. Margaret and Harold were my babysitters when my parents, Bill and Marge Leary, traveled. I have found memories of staying in their home. Karen Eagle and I become friends while in elementary school. I really enjoyed Margaret and her hospitality and always wearing a smile. Blessings on your family.
Lynn Hanson says
I loved hearing about all of her adventures and she was a real joy to see at the gym over the years. A pure inspiration to everyone. Glad I can say I got to know her. She was truly loved and will be missed. My sympathy to the family!!
Ted Murphy says
Margaret was a cousin to my mother Elizabeth Morse Murphy, who was wheel-chair bound from contracting polio as a young adult and who passed away in 1959. Margaret, Harold, and their family were always so welcoming toward and supportive of our family when I was a child prior to my Mother’s passing and for years afterward. I remember Margaret as a kind and joyful woman; and was pleased to see her when she visited the Seattle area with daughter Susan in 2015. My thoughts and prayers go out to Susan, Joan, Alan and David during this time of loss, remembrance and celebration of a long life well lived.