Margaret M. Towry went to meet her Savior on her 95th birthday, surrounded by her family. She said, "it's just the way I want it." She lived at the Life Care Center of Burlington for the last five years of her life.

Margaret Marie was born on October 8,1924 in Burlington, Ks to Lee and Ruby (Kerby) Welsh. She was the sister of Bill Welsh, Leann Welsh Decker, and Lee Kerby Welsh.
She attended the Burlington schools and graduated from Burlington High School.

Margaret moved to Wichita, where she was employed as a telephone operator. She married James Hazelton, and they were the parents of Deann and Larry Hazelton. They were later divorced.

Margaret later married Ora Metzger on May 21,1949, and were the parents of Susie, Dennis, Jo, and Mary. Ora died in 1963.

Margaret then married Tom Towry on February 14, 1970. He died in 1980.

Margaret worked for many years as a bookkeeper for Pioneer Hardware in Burlington. She also worked for the Coffey County Treasurer until her retirement.

She was a member of the Burlington Christian Church, where she served as a deaconess and played the piano. She was also a member of the Rebekah's, BPW, and TOPS clubs. She was one of the original members of Friends of Coffey Health System, where she faithfully went to her job twice a week until her health failed. She knitted and crocheted over 500 baby caps for the newborns of Coffey County Hospital. She made unique hats and blankets for her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards with her friends, knitting, crocheting, and quilting, collecting dolls, but mostly spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sister, daughter and son-in-law Deann and Dean Tatman, son-in-law Larry Gardner, granddaughter Lori Ann Tatman, and great-granddaughter Carli Mae Hegwald.

Margaret, lovingly known as "the Matriarch" and "Grandma Marg" by her loving family, is survived by her children Larry (Jeanette) Hazelton, Susie Metzger, Dennis (Jenifer) Metzger, Jo Neill, and Mary Gardner (Al Otto).  Grandchildren Wesley (Barbara) Hazelton, Mike (Amy) Hazelton, Scott (Vanessa) Tatman, Jennifer Benton, Melissa (Bob) Gifford, Keri (Santo) Hernandez, Mindy Hegwald (Jeff Troyer), Casey (Melissa) Hegwald, Hailey (Gary) Handy, Dylan (Kristen) Metzger, Andrea (David) Alexander and Laura (Vinny) Riccobono, 20 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Burlington Christian Church, Monday, October 14, at 11:00AM. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Burlington Christian Church Youth Building Fund and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.