Margaret L. Getchell

She always made time for adventure. Her fiery red hair leading the way to any and all shenanigans. Her name was Margaret (Leavitt) Getchell and when you met her, you never forget her. She was beautiful, passionate, full of life, and love.

She was born Margaret Louise Leavitt and entered this world on the first day of summer, June 21, 1938. She left this world for a better place on July 9, 2023 at her Calais home surrounded by family. 

She was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick and this is where she met the love of her life, her husband David Getchell. They had two children Michael Allen Getchell and Laurie Lynn Getchell Johnson. The family spent much of their lives in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but Margaret moved back to her home in Calais in 2022 to be closer to her sisters and brothers.

Margaret was known for her laughter, her love of family, and her need for adventure. It was visits from Margaret that one always looked forward to; the kind that created memories that would last a lifetime. She loved to dance, sing, and laugh. If there was a bottle of fine wine to go with it, life was even better. She made all that knew her want to be with her.

Family and friends will never forget the fun that came with visits from Margaret. She was everyone’s “partner in crime”; the ultimate source of mischievousness. She was always there if you needed someone to listen. She made you feel like you were of the utmost importance to her and every relationship she had was a valuable one.

Her passions ran the spectrum. To relax, you’d find her creating needlepoint, knitting, crocheting, and painting. Her amazing creations were then sent to her cherished family members; her children, grandchild, sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. There was nothing she couldn’t do and wouldn’t do for her family. Her ties to them and her love for family are likely unmatched. She also shared that strong passionate love with her animals. Her dog Frisko and cat Holly were her cherished companions. 

She was a life-long learner and excelled at most everything. Her love of gardening came from her grandfather Hiram Leavitt, her love of knitting and crafting came from her mother Frances (Leavitt) Scott. 

Life wasn’t always easy for her. She was a leader and sometimes struggled to find her place. But through hard times and disappointments she was able to stay positive and still motivate those around her to do the same. Her sense of humor came from these life experiences. 

Words generated by her many family members best describing this vibrant beauty include: loyal, irreplaceable, and creative.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband David Getchell, her mother Frances Leavitt Scott, her father Everett Scott, her niece Terry Ockenden and nephews Larry Leavitt and Kenny Murphy Jr.

She is survived by her son Michael Getchell, her daughter Laurie Getchell Johnson, husband Brian and their daughter Meghan, her sisters Emma Jamieson, Ethel Eldridge and husband Clyde, Rose Robichaud, Maxine Geroux and husband Bob, Vivian McGaw, brothers Hazen Leavitt and wife Madeline, Larry Leavitt and wife Priscilla, 30 nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews.

A private family celebration of life is scheduled for August 12 at 1.00pm at the home of her niece JoEllen Leeman.