Margaret Stark Obituary, Death – On December 3, 2022, Margaret Lynn Stark passed away peacefully at Providence Hospital in Novi, Michigan. She was surrounded by loving family members and died in the arms of her devoted husband, Tom, at the time of her passing. She was the daughter of Robert and Mary Dolores (Markey) Rutherford, and she was born on December 4th, 1957 in Saginaw, Michigan. Margaret was born and raised in Saginaw County, and she received her high school diploma from Bridgeport in 1976. Soon after receiving her nursing degree from Delta College in 1981, she wed her high school sweetheart, Tom Stark, and the couple started their life together in the town of Hartland in the state of Michigan. In 1992, they were given a wonderful gift in the form of the birth of their son Sam. Margaret did exceptionally well in both of the vocations—nursing and motherhood—that she had chosen for herself. She was known as a compassionate caregiver who had a calming bedside manner in addition to her high level of nursing expertise. She was also an advocate for her patients. Her greatest happiness came from being Sam’s mother and sharing in his achievements, urging him on in his academic pursuits, supporting him in his musical endeavors, and cheering him on in his athletic endeavors. She delighted in watching him compete on the baseball diamond and golf course in all kinds of weather and at all levels. Everything was perfect in her eyes.
Those who knew Margaret will remember her humor, wit, and laughter, as well as her sense of fun and her love for every member of her family. Margaret was loved by all of her relatives. They looked forward to her birthday cards every year and were in awe of the exquisitely designed cakes she made for any and all occasions. They will remember her quilting, sewing, handcrafts, and Santa Claus collection, as well as her needlework and Santa Claus collection. They will be aware of how she supported her school’s athletic teams, including the Spartans, Lions, Tigers, Hartland Eagles, and Ferris State Bulldogs. They may have participated in activities with her when she was younger, such as playing softball or “Chase the Ace” at family gatherings. It’s possible that she divulged the recipe for her grilled chicken marinade, as well as other mouthwatering culinary trade secrets from her kitchen. She possessed the gift of hospitality, and she and Tom were always quick to make guests feel at ease when they visited their house. She was very much a fan of both Christmas and large family get-togethers, and she always made it a point to talk to each and every guest and to make them feel like they were in the spotlight.
Margaret was a thoughtful and generous person who freely offered a listening ear, a safe place to land, and a shoulder to cry on to anyone who needed it. In addition, you could count on her to give an honest opinion, and she had no problem consulting the opinions of others. Margaret lived her life to the fullest despite her years-long struggle with a chronic illness, which she fought with determination, courage, and dignity. She was determined not to be defined by her illness. Margaret left an indelible mark on the hearts of many people, including her husband, Tom, son, Sam, and mother, Mary Dolores Rutherford. She will be sorely missed by all of those who loved her. Siblings and Siblings In-laws: Tim and Theresa Rutherford, Mary and John Skoglund, Jane and Mike Alsgaard, Tom and Cindy Rutherford, Ann Huntington, George and Linda Rutherford, Mary Rose Rutherford, Alice and Shawn Overgaard, Jim and Cinda Stark, Lindsay and David Susalski, as well as a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other special family friends. In addition to all of these, Mary Rose Ruth
Katie Ann Stark, Margaret’s infant daughter, her father Robert Rutherford, her brother Matthew Rutherford, her in-laws Larry and Joyce Stark, and her brother-in-law Kim Huntington all passed away before Margaret. On Friday, December 9th, a visitation to celebrate Margaret’s life will take place at the Lehman Funeral Home in Portland, Michigan. The family will be present to receive guests from 3 until 8 o’clock in the evening. The liturgy for her funeral is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. This event will take place on Saturday, December 10 at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Portland, Michigan. The funeral liturgy will be followed immediately by a luncheon, which will take place in the St. Patrick Parish Hall. Those who are unable to attend the funeral but would still like to watch it can do so on the Facebook page of Lehman Funeral Homes beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.