Iona Mctaggart

Whether she was baking loaves of bread, crocheting afghans for loved ones, or exploring foreign lands, Iona McTaggart did everything with compassion and generosity, cherishing above all else the two things she held most dear, her faith and her family. Onie (as she was known by friends and family) had a tremendous zest for life and she often set aside her own needs to tend to the needs of others. Onie viewed each day as a gift to be treasured even when life wasnt easy; her days were a shining example of the beliefs she had embedded on her heart. The year 1919 was a time of transition for our nation as America was changing from a nation at war to a nation of peace with the end of WWI in 1918. George and Lizzie (Eifert) Roth, of Bennett, Arkansas were looking forward to their own transitional time as well; as Lizzie was due to have a baby at any time. They were indeed blessed on February 25, 1919 with the healthy birth of their daughter, Onie. Raised as one of four children in her family, Onie lived a typical Missouri childhood and later moved to the Muskegon, Michigan area. Life took a drastic turn one day when some friends introduced Onie to a young man named John McTaggart from Green Bay, Wisconsin who was in Muskegon doing construction work on the channel. It was love at first sight and a whirlwind romance soon ensued and John soon gave Onie a hope chest as a gift which was later followed by an engagement ring. The young couple, having met during the summer of 1939, was united in marriage just a year later, on June 2, 1940. The young couple honeymooned in the Wisconsin Dells and settled into married life in Muskegon. The McTaggarts were later blessed with three children, John, Jim, and Janice over a 12 year period. Onie embraced her role as a mother and poured herself into nurturing and caring for their needs as a homemaker. She had a way of making sure that each of her children knew that they were loved but she balanced that love with firmness when needed. Her children recall that when they got out of hand, their mother brought the fly swatter out in order to get their attention! The majority of the child rearing was left to Onie as John worked long hours, six days a week as a partner of McTaggarts Sunco Station. Her faith was an important cornerstone to Onie and as a result, it was important to Onie that her children attend parochial school. In the summertime, Onie would see to it that the days were filled with swimming at Stoneylake, picnics and pizza parties on the patio. One of the things that Onie was best known for was her cooking and baking; every Saturday she would bake between ten and twelve loaves of homemade bread and she made scrumptious potato dumplings, homemade noodles and pecan rolls as well. Her pecan rolls were so delicious that they were often fought over by friends and family members; they were one of the things that her grandchildren would one day appreciate most about her. For her childrens birthdays she always baked treats for them to share with their classmates and she lovingly prepared their favorite meal on their special day too. Onie embraced her German heritage and was an excellent cook and made wonderful roasts with potatoes and gravy. When she wasnt busy caring for her family, Onie found time to pursue some of her additional interests as well. In addition to cooking and baking, Onie enjoyed crocheting and made afghans for everyone in the family. When Janice was in high school, Onie found employment as a clerk at Ettermans Hardware in order to help pay for Janices college tuition. Her church membership at Trinity Lutheran was an important part of her life and she sang in the church choir and was a circle guild officer as well. Together Onie and John enjoyed taking Sunday drives and finding interesting places to stop and eat. They loved the fall, especially taking magnificent fall color tours through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Onies life again took a drastic turn when in 1982, John died at a young age, leaving Onie to gain strength from both her faith and her family during these difficult days. Onie was a strong and independent person by nature which allowed her to successfully adapt to life without her beloved John. She began to travel with the Orchard View Travel Club and went along on church excursions, even visiting Scandinavian countries. Onie loved traveling and kept journal entries of all her travels and experiences, allowing her to fondly recall the many memories she made. She would also became active in T.O.P.P.S (where she was the treasurer),and the churchs bizarre and Dorcus Circle., Later in life, Onie maintained her independent spirit and sharp mind. She loved to do jigsaw puzzles, have weekly dinners with her brother Lee and sister Viola, and even dine regularly with the Collis and the Speiers families. Shopping and running errands with her sister were also a favorite pastime. Onie was active and lived on her own just three weeks before her death. She never wanted to be a burden or to rely on others. Onie McTaggart lived her life to its fullest brightening the days of those around her with her kind and compassionate heart. She delighted in her children and grandchildren and lived her life based on the beliefs she held so dear. Onie often sacrificed her needs to tend to the needs of others and she spent her lifetime making memories which will be forever cherished by those she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed. Onie J. McTaggart, of Muskegon, MI, died Friday, January 30, 2009. Onies family includes her sons, John (Joan Kamp) McTaggart of AR; James (Carolyn) McTaggart of SC; daughter, Janice (Chris Kaijala) Collis; grandchildren, Scott, Todd (Alison) McTaggart of AR, Sean (Sherri), Eric McTaggart of Muskegon, Suzette (Bill) Gathen of Grand Rapids, Jeff (Jennifer) Flannery of Muskegon, Michelle (Mike) Speier of Muskegon; 9 great grandchildren; brother Lee Roth; sister, Viola Klug. She was preceded in death by her sister Paula; son-in-law Dennis Collis & daughter-in-law Georgia McTaggart. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Dennis Lassanske officiating. Interment at Lakeside Cemetery. Visit with Onies family and friends on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon location - Muskegon, MI. Please visit Onies memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory, sign the online guest book, or make a memorial contribution to Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fun