Margaret Arlene Wiggin, 92
Margaret Arlene (Griffiths) Wiggin, the 7th, was born Nov. 10, 1931, in Boise, Idaho, where her father, Ralph, worked as a civil engineer for the Bureau of Reclamation. Margaret and her brother, James, moved often as a family due to her father’s occupation with the development of multiple prominent dams: Hoover, Shasta, Bonneville, Grand Coulee, Friant, among others.
Growing up near water reservoirs provided a plethora of recreational opportunities, one of which was swimming, which ended up being a lifelong passion. She reported while living in Friant, “I spent nearly every day swimming to the island with my lunch to enjoy nature.” In college, Margaret was a champion badminton player and synchronized swimmer. Fiercely independent and an unusual woman for her time, she received her undergraduate degree at Fresno State and her masters of physical education at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Calif.
In 1958, she married the love of her life, Francis Porter Wiggin III, in a “quiet ceremony” near Santa Cruz. The two lived together in Shell Beach, Calif., where they enjoyed the coastal offerings such as clamming, diving for abalone and fishing on their 52-foot commercial fishing boat. In 1960, they were blessed with a baby girl, Pam. A decade later they moved to a small farm on four acres in Arroyo Grande, Calif., where the family enjoyed a small quarter horse ranch, with up to 17 horses at one point in time. In 1972, they completed their family with the adoption of a son, Tim. Margaret was known for hosting “cousin’s camp” where she would have “incredibly fun and inventive things for the family to do each day.”
Professionally, Margaret was a beloved PE teacher and meant a great deal to her students. She taught physical education for 32 years in California and ended her teaching career as an associate professor at Cal Poly in teacher training. She was a decorated mentor and many people still comment on how she was undoubtedly their favorite teacher.
Margaret followed her mother’s talents as an artist. In her 80s, she took up painting after being inspired by a senior art class. Margaret celebrated good artists long before announcing herself as one, starting an online rubber stamp company in her retirement called “Stamps Galore” that featured the art from the envelopes that her mother sent to her brother during the Korean War.
In her later years, Margaret spent five years in Coos Bay, Ore., caring for her mother, Margaret Busby, who nearly lived to 102 years. After her mother’s passing in 2011, Margaret moved to Clark Fork, Idaho, to be close to her loved ones. Margaret had a wonderful and unique zest for life. She enjoyed swimming, rubber stamping, tennis, pickleball, kayaking, walking, promoting physical health, helping create and supporting a local produce ministry and walk with the doc, but she loved her family most of all.
She was strong in her beliefs, her values, her integrity and her work ethic. She was non-judgmental about people's choices and let them live their own lives. She was kind and generous in sharing her many talents and often with good humor.
At 92 she reflected on her long-life motto stating, “When my brother-in-law, Paul, was fired from his head coaching position at the Kansas City Chiefs, I gave my condolences to his wife, Carolynn, and her reply cemented my positive attitude. Carolynn said, ‘We believe it is leading us to bigger and better things.’” Hearing that, Margaret decided to make that her motto.
Shortly before her death Margaret shared that her fondest memories were Pam’s equestrian years. When asked “If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose to live?” Margaret responded with “Right here, in Clark Fork, Idaho.”
Margaret passed at Bonner General Health, with the best of care, July 22. It is our family’s belief that Margaret continues to live out her motto leading her to bigger and better things.
She will be greatly missed by her loving family, Pam Hewitt (and husband Jeff), Tim, grandchildren Jesse Hewitt (and wife Molly), Clayton Hewitt (and wife Kayla), Bailey Lodato (and husband Nick), Nicole Miller (and husband Joel), Nicholas Wiggin (and wife Laura), 10 great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Thank you to ALL for making her life richer. What a life to celebrate and aspire to.
Family and friends are invited to sign Margaret’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.