Ponce, Margaret M.

Margaret M. Ponce, 93, a long time resident of West Liberty, entered into eternal life while surrounded by her loving family on Sunday June 9, 2013. Visitation will be at Henderson Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, where a rosary will be recited following. Funeral service will be a catholic mass at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Liberty followed by the graveside service at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice, 1025 Wade St., Iowa City, IA 52240; or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 107 W. Sixth St., West Liberty, IA 52776.

Online condolences may be made to the family at .

Those left to honor her memory are her four children, Mary Louise (and the late Larry) James of Kansas City Mo., Barbara (Douglas) Calvin of Davenport, Charles Ponce of West Liberty and Marcella (Robert) Dewar of Atalissa; six grandchildren, Cara (Cliff) McFerren of West Liberty, Eric James of Phoenix, Ariz., Todd James of Dallas, Texas, Michael Calvin of Anchorage Alaska, and Ryan (Hollie) Ponce and Amy (Robert) Bruce, both of Omaha Neb.; and her six great-grandchildren, Hunter, Isabelle, Sophia, Maelee and Annaliese of Omaha and William John of West Liberty.

Her mother, father, grandmother, husband, John and brother, preceded Margaret in death.

Born March 13, 1920, in Davenport, she moved to West Liberty in 1939, after her marriage to the late John Ponce, her husband of 53 years.

Her family was her greatest love, but she held a special place in her heart for her love of her flowers. She had a stunning garden of iris, peonies, tulips, daffodils and daisies. She was an exceptional and passionate cook spoiling her family with homemade tortillas, rice and other homemade staples. She was especially fond of baking also. Her mastered culinary ability was so expert, that even though she was blind, she could prepare a meal on site by her keen sense of smell, taste and feel. Aside from her love of flowers and cooking, she was an avid collector of salt and pepper shakers of various sizes, shapes and descriptions. Her impressive collection began just shortly after she was married and display in a custom-made glass cabinet her husband built for her. Many were acquired on their domestic and international travels together. In addition to attending to her family, home and caring for her in-laws, she worked at the Louis Rich turkey processing plant in West Liberty for over 30 years. She was a beloved parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, a member of the local garden club and ladies Auxiliary and she enjoyed going to the local meal site once a week. She utilized senior resources at times and participated in programing at the Iowa Commission for the Blind.

Published in The Gazette June 11, 2013.