Margaret Bly

Margaret Bee Bly was a woman who believed in commitment, not only to her family, but to the community as well. She was an exceptional wife, mother and grandmother. She belonged to many community organizations throughout her lifetime, including an active membership in St. Pauls Episcopal Church. Born on August 2, 1921 in Muskegon, Michigan to William and Helen (Bee) Holt, Margaret was the middle child of three. William and Helen worked hard to raise Margaret and her older brother, Frank and her younger brother, Bill on Peck Street in Muskegon. William was the owner of the Enterprise Brass Manufacturing Company, while Helen stayed home to care for the children and run the household. Margaret grew up during what has been called the roaring twenties. The twenties received their name because of the heady, prosperous times. Women were also experiencing unprecedented freedom financially and socially. From an early age Margaret was interested in the Arts. She learned to play the piano and enjoyed dancing with her many friends at a dance club. Her family spent their summers at Hackley Point on Mona Lake and when she had a chance Margaret enjoyed the thrill of horseback riding. After graduating from Muskegon High School in 1939, Margaret enrolled at Stephens College, a private college for women in Columbia, Missouri. After two years there, she went on to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where she graduated in 1943. Margaret found employment in Pontiac, Michigan as a teacher. It was at a dinner get-together with teachers and DuPont Chemical Company engineers that Margaret met an exceptional man named Ernest Ernie Bly. Ernie strolled into the room, handed Margaret his hat and said, You take care of this hat, and Ill take care of you. Margaret must have taken good care of that hat, since the two young people hit it off immediately! Through his work at DuPont, Ernie became involved with the Manhattan Project, the secret research group that was instrumental in ending WWII with their development of the atomic bomb. With the possession of the A bomb the Allies were able to stop the butchering madness of the Axis Powers. Before Ernie was shipped off to the Marshall Islands, Margaret followed him out to California to say good-bye. Margaret returned to Muskegon and taught for a while in the Muskegon Height School District. Margaret and Ernie kept up a long distance correspondence that went on for twenty months. There were many letters and even a few bathing beauty shots from Margaret to Ernie to help Ernie keep up his morale! When young Naval Officer Ernie Bly returned home to Margaret, they moved to Wilmington, Delaware. It was in Wilmington that they exchanged their vows on February 16, 1946. Ernie started working for the DuPont Company in Wilmington, while Margaret stayed home. They started their family in 1949 with the adoption of their first child, Nancy. She was such a beautiful addition to the family that in 1952 they adopted their son, Ernest Richard Bly Jr., completing the family of four. Ernies work at DuPont took them to Montague, Michigan where they settled into the community and established a fantastic social group of DuPont families. A lot of time was spent boating with the children on Lake Michigan with time out for paper bag lunches, packed by Margaret. In 1964 they moved to a beautiful lake-front home on Hackley Point on Mona Lake in Muskegon. It was here that Margaret became involved in community affairs. During the school year she attended PTA meetings and became a Brownie Leader when Nancy joined the Girl Scouts. In the winter there were ski trips with Margaret officiating as the Lodge Mother. In the summer Margaret and Ernie packed up the kids and headed to the east coast to spend time with Ernies relatives. As a family they were active members of St. Pauls Episcopal Church, the same church that Margaret attended as a child. Margaret and Ernie were a loving, happy couple, who made sure they spent time together as a couple. They enjoyed golfing at the Muskegon Country Club, where they had a membership. (Margaret golfed alone in the Ladies League as well.) They also attended many social gatherings where the singing was accompanied by Margaret on the piano. Margaret also loved playing the piano for the children when they put on shows at home. In her quieter moments Margaret had a chance to read and discuss the books at her book club. After the children grew up, Margaret and Ernie had time for more travel. There were several trips to Europe. Margaret and Ernie were not content to just be casual tourists; they thoroughly researched each country before they visited, to make the trip educational as well as pleasurable. Margaret continued her community involvement. She volunteered at Hackley Hospital, and served on the board at the Visiting Nurse Association and on the board of Child and Family Services. She was a member of the 5th Guild at St. Pauls and a Trustee of the Bishop Whittemore Foundation. Eventually, Margaret and Ernie sold their home on the Mona Lake and moved into Mona Kai Condominiums. Sadly, Ernie died in 1996 leaving behind a grieving wife. Margaret continued to use her time volunteering. One of the activities she especially enjoyed was leading tours at the Art Museum. Margaret became weaker and when she needed more care than she could receive on her own, she moved into Seminole Assisted Living two years ago. Margaret was a faithful wife and devoted mother and grandmother. She used her talents not only for the betterment of her family, but for the community as well. Her selfless care of her family and her involvement in her many organizations will be the mark that Margaret leaves behind. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her in her long and fruitful life. Margaret B. Bly died Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Surviving are: Son, Ernest "Dick" Bly Jr.; daughter, Nancy Bly; grandson, Andrew Latoszewski. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest in 1996.A Private Family Service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with Dr. Thomas Scott officiating.A Memorial Gathering will be held Friday, August 22, 2008 from Noon-1 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Guild Hall. Interment at Restlawn Cemetery. MEMORIAL: Ernest R. Bly Fund at Muskegon County Community Foundation. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.