Margaret Gaffney Harkins

Obituary Margaret Gaffney Harkins Margaret Gaffney Harkins, the daughter of William and Margaret Gaffney, was born in Tacoma on January 14, 1922. She died peacefully at her home at Merrill Gardens in Tacoma on August 12, 2013. She attended Fern Hill Elementary School, Stewart Junior High School and St. Leo's High School, where Margaret lettered in softball. She married Joseph Harkins on May 1, 1943. They were married for 65 years and had 8 children: Kathleen (David) Keeney, Tim (Patty) Harkins, Vernon (Kathleen) Harkins, Mary (Joe) Zavaglia, Joe (Lindsey) Harkins, Cecilia (Gary) Shumate, Shannon (Scott) Greenburg, and Kelly (Judy) Harkins. Family was the most important treasure in her life. Margaret was blessed with 32 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, as well as many nephews and nieces. Margaret was a devoted wife and mother, daughter and sister. Hospitality was her gift, her dinner table always had room for one more and her homemade applesauce and pies were famous. Camping, family get-togethers and "Saturday night hamburgers" were favorite events. She loved the natural beauty of the northwest and enjoyed being outdoors for daily walks, gardening, and hiking. She was an avid bridge player for many years with her "regular group" as well as with her friends at St. Patrick's Church. Living her whole life in Tacoma, Margaret enjoyed many family activities in her youth, including dancing, golfing, skiing, camping and clamming trips to the ocean. Camping continued as a family activity with her children as they grew up and many memories were created along the waters of Puget Sound, at ocean beaches or in the mountains of the northwest. She was a supportive mother to her children as they grew, always present at school activities and working as a generous volunteer at school and parish events. In her later adult years she loved watching her grandchildren's many events, focused around church, school and athletic activities. She attended business school after high school and upon completion worked for the IRS. In later years she also worked in the office for Gaffney Funeral Home and the Tacoma Mausoleum. Margaret was a Hospice volunteer for over 25 years and received a special award from Franciscan Hospice for her years of service. Bellarmine Prep also recognized her lifetime of service and volunteerism when she was awarded the St. Leo High School Alumni of the Year award in 1994. Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her parents; and her siblings, Bill Gaffney, Glenna (Dickson) and Joyce (Sigafoos). She is survived by her immediate family. The family would like to thank the devoted staff of Merrill Gardens, Sound Options Care Services, Franciscan Hospice and Dr. Richard Waltman and his office staff for all of the loving care given to our mother. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM, St. Patrick's Church, 1001 North J Street, Tacoma. Rosary will be recited on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Gaffney Funeral Home in Tacoma. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Franciscan Hospice of Tacoma, P.O. Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401-1502 or to Bellarmine Prep through its Development Office, 2300 S. Washington, Tacoma, WA, 98405. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.