Margaret Lindsey

9/25/1927 — 7/16/2016

• Service Date: 7/21/2016
• Get Directions to Service

• Send a Condolence

Margaret Neely Lindsey passed peacefully away Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at Life Care Center in Lewiston. She was 88 years old.

Margaret was born Sept. 25, 1927, in Tulsa, Okla., to Clarence and Mary Sumner. They moved from Oklahoma to Kansas City, Mo., when she was 2. She worked for her father driving an ice truck, delivering scored ice door-to-door even though she had no license. She graduated from East High School in Kansas City, Mo., in 1945. With the end of World War II, Margaret enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Margaret met Johnnie Mac Neely in the Marine Corps, and they were married in 1950 in Savannah, Ga. They had two daughters. They were stationed in Kaneohe, Hawaii, from 1957 to 1961. Margaret moved the girls to Pomeroy while waiting for John's new duty station. While in Pomeroy, she worked at her Aunt Josephine Jones' restaurant, The Pomeroy Steak House, and later settled in Grangeville, where she remained until 1971. In 1961, Johnnie Mac was killed in an automobile accident. Margaret and the girls accompanied him by train for burial in Arkansas.

While in Grangeville, Margaret worked at KORT radio station, was office manager at Hoene Implement and owned the Triangle Tavern. She married Walter E. Lindsey, and they had one son. In 1971, Margaret and Walt built, owned and operated the NU-U Health Spa. They divorced and remained friends. Margaret continued operating the NU-U until it closed. She met and befriended so many of the spa patrons; the memories are too many to list.

Margaret was an accomplished artist specializing in oil portraits. She loved her horses and dogs. She spent time in her teen years competing with the Kansas City Bombers Roller Derby Team. Her love of western music took her to the Grand Ole Opry, meeting several country stars. She was a patriot who was proud to have served her country and reached out to several veteran organizations. She was the "oldest former lady Marine in the state of Idaho."

The family would like to thank the Lewiston Fire Department and the caregivers who touched her life. Your kindness does not go unnoticed.

Margaret is survived by daughters Christine Neely of Clarkston, and Mary Doherty and companion Hank Gosnell of Lewiston; son Walter and Danielle Lindsey of White Bird; grandchildren Cara Forsman, Ross Doherty, Dylan Swinford, Codey Butler and Dustin Snyder; and her beloved sister/friend, Barbara Haynes.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Irene Baty; and first husband, Master Sgt. Johnnie Mac Neely.

There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Normal Hill Cemetery with a celebration of her life at the Lewiston Eagles immediately following the service. Please come prepared to share a good story.

Service Information

Date & Time

Thursday, July 21, 11:00 AM

Location

Normal Hill Cemetery
1122 7th Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501

Get Directions

Offer Condolences

Professional Service

✔ Since 1924
✔ Burial or Cremation Services
✔ Pre-Arranged Funeral Plans
✔ Web-Casting
✔ Modern Comfortable Facility
✔ Up-To-Date Audio/Video

Contact Information

The administrative offices are open Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday are by appointment only.