Margarita Romero Larios Harvey passed away peacefully on March 9, 2017 at the age of 84.
Margarita was born on Jan. 7, 1933 in Los Reyes, Michoacán, Mexico. Her parents were Arturo Romero Amezquita and Maria Rosario Larios de Romero. She grew up surrounded by a large close-knit extended family in the beautiful colonial city of Guadalajara, Mexico. She worked in administration for the Social Security department before she was married.
She met Bill Harvey on his fifth trip traveling to Mexico and they were married in Guadalajara on July 15, 1961. She adored Bill; when they met, it was love at first sight. She was married to Bill for 53 years and they were a devoted couple. They lived in Seldovia, Alaska, until 1965, then moved first to Seattle, then Bellingham, where they raised their family on the Kelly Road property.
Margarita enjoyed her children and her grandchildren, and she loved living in the Pacific Northwest. She was very patriotic and proud to be an American. She enjoyed cooking, canning, visiting with friends, Bible studies, church activities, listening to music and watching songbirds. She also was an avid supporter of Jewish causes and Native American charities.
Margarita is survived by her brother Hector (Arcela) Romero Larios and children of Guadalajara, Mexico; sister Susy Branson (husband Jerry-deceased) and children of Lynden; step-daughter Julie Wahl, granddaughter Brittany Ayek and great-grandson Trenton, granddaughter Kimberly Ayek, grandson Brian Ayek, all of Anchorage, Alaska; son Billy (Linda) Harvey, grandson Brandon (Meggie) Boxx, granddaughter Kayla of Whatcom County; daughter Nancy (Tim) Vekved, granddaughter Annie Vekved of Whatcom County; daughter Susan Harvey (Craig Kaskes), grandson Tanner Litke of Whatcom County; and son Robert (Maria) Harvey, grandson Robbie Harvey, granddaughter Marissa Harvey and grandson Jobe Walton of Whatcom County.
Margarita was preceded in death by her husband Bill Harvey, younger brother Ignacio Arturo, and granddaughter Rachel Vekved.
The graveside service will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, in Greenwood Cemetery on Wiser Lake Road followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service in Cornwall Church, 4518 Northwest Dr., Bellingham, with Pastor Bob Marvel officiating.
You are invited to sign the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
