Margaret M. Harrington

SALIX, Iowa -- Margaret M. Harrington, 101, of Salix passed away Sunday, March 7, 2010, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix, with the Rev. Patrick O'Kane officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m today, with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. Condolences may be sent online to meyerbroschapels.com.

Margaret was born Aug. 8, 1908, in Salix, the daughter of John S. and Nora (Ryan) Reynolds. She graduated from St. Joseph School in 1926. She then attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, from 1926 to 1928.

She married M. Clinton Harrington in Salix. He preceded her in death on July 26, 1964. She was a housewife and the couple raised their eight children on the family farm. She remained living on the Century farm until she was 97 years old. In the 1960s, she was the temporary postmaster for Salix.

She was a lifelong member of the Tabernacle Society, where she held many offices including the past presidency. She also was a member of the Salix Study Club, with whom she took many trips. She was the Democratic chairlady for Liberty Township and worked in the precinct for many years. She did volunteer work for the election booths and also volunteered for the Red Cross swimming lessons. She was an avid reader and a great cook. She loved to discuss politics, but her greatest love was spending time with her family.

Survivors include her eight children, George Harrington and his wife, Mary of Sioux City, Richard Harrington of Salix, Audrey Ann and her husband, Bob Kurth of Le Mars, Iowa, John Harrington and his wife, Carol of Sioux City, Lenore Harrington of Chula Vista, Calif., Daniel T. Harrington and his wife, Anita of Sioux City, Julie and her husband, Maurice Winter of Las Vegas, Nev., and Kevin J. Harrington of Portland, Ore.; 33 grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Lawrence Reynolds of Salix; a sister, Ilene Reynolds of Sioux City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two daughters-in-law, Connie and Madonna; and siblings, Evelyn, John, Bill, Eleanor and James.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Margaret's name.