HADLEY- Margaret Helene (Powers) Moakler, 99, a resident of Hadley for 62 years, passed away on April 14, 2017, surrounded by family, at Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, MA.

Born May 11, 1917 in Beebe, Quebec, Canada, Margaret was the daughter of Ruth (May) and Joseph F. Powers. Her parents ultimately settled the family, which included Margaret’s older siblings, Milton and Beatrice (Sprague), since deceased, and younger sister Joyce (Russo), amidst the rolling hills of Randolph Center, VT. A third sister, Arlene, died at six months.

From the simple beginnings of a one room school house, Margaret achieved dean’s list status upon graduating from Randolph High School in 1934; her goal was to become an English teacher. In 1935, on her 18^th birthday, she married Harvey Jay Gates, of Essex Center, VT, and setting her teaching aspirations aside, started the family she always wanted; welcoming son Jerald in 1936, and daughter Harvelene in 1939.

After Harvey’s death in 1947, Margaret and the children moved numerous times within northern Vermont, and she worked various jobs to support them; one as a supervisor of capacitor production at Rock of Ages Corp., (sub-contractor of Sprague Electric) in Barre, VT. She found love again in 1947, marrying Reginald Tomlinson, of Tunbridge, VT; son Timothy joyfully arrived in 1949. In 1952, Margaret proudly became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

In 1955, a promising business venture drew Margaret and Reg to the farmlands of Hadley, MA, where they formed a residential construction company, Tomlinson Builders, still in existence today. They enjoyed 12 years together before Reg’s death in 1959. Margaret would find love a third time, marrying Thomas Moakler, of Pelham, MA, in 1962. They spent 36 years together until Tom’s death in 1999.

Working well into her sixties in retail clothing, Margaret’s work ethic was beyond compare, and she never shied away from a challenge, learning to swim, ride a bike, and play the organ in her later years. She also had many interests, and her attention to detail was evident in everything she did; the lushness of her gardens, the intricacies of her needlework (embroidery pieces winning blue ribbons at the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, VT), and in her signature handmade teddy bears and afghans enjoyed by her grandchildren. She was also an avid birdwatcher and collector of Hummel figurines and Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates.

Above all, Margaret cherished time with family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren; supporting them in athletic and artistic endeavors, spending time poolside at her home, and vacationing at Harvey’s Lake, VT, and Cape Cod. She traveled with Tom to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and wintered in Lake Placid, FL, and treasured getaways to Stowe, VT, and annual Thanksgiving holidays in Woodstock, VT, with daughter Harvelene; her travel companion, devoted friend, and faithful caregiver.

Margaret’s faith was the cornerstone of her life; she was a member of The First Baptist Church of Amherst, where she and Reg reaffirmed their faith through baptism, and an associate member of South Congregational Church of Amherst. She was also a member of The Order of the Eastern Star, temple chapter #75 OES, Burlington, VT, receiving an honorary fifty-year pin.

Margaret’s quiet demeanor, quick wit, compassionate ear, loving heart, and progressive acceptance of all people never diminished in the near century she lived. For those who knew her, Margaret was revered as a genuine “lady.”

Margaret is survived by her three children: Jerald Gates and wife Lois of South Deerfield, MA, Harvelene (Gates) Fusia of Amherst, MA, and Timothy Tomlinson and wife Ramona of Amherst, MA; seven grandchildren: Laurie Gates Zacek and husband Mark of Amherst, MA, David Gates and wife Kimberlee of Sunderland, MA, Kathy Gates Milewski and husband Gary of Merrimac, MA, Lynda Gates Stickler and husband Stephen of Brookfield, WI, Erik Brown of Easthampton, MA, Tyler Tomlinson and wife Michelle and Devin Tomlinson and wife Alexandra, all of Sunderland, MA; sixteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She also leaves one sister, Joyce Russo of Bradenton FL, godchild Stephen Russo of Glastonbury, CT, and beloved friend Joan Borgos of Sunderland, MA.        

A memorial service will be held on May 21, 2017 at 3 p.m., South Congregational Church, 1066 South East Street, Amherst, MA. Margaret will be laid to rest beside Reg at Plainville Cemetery, Hadley, MA. In lieu of flowers, and with heartfelt thanks to all of the compassionate hospice caregivers, please send donations to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, 01002.