Margaret Ann Joseph

Margaret Ann Kaady Joseph, 85, born June 11, 1931, in San Francisco, California, passed away peacefully April 25, 2017, in Walla Walla with her family and devoted husband of 63 years, Gabe Joseph by her side.

Margaret grew up in Portland, Oregon the eldest child of her father George Assad Kaady and Sahda Kaidey Kaady. She graduated from Franklin High School in Portland, Oregon in 1947, received a bachelor’s degree in education from the Oregon College of Education in 1951 and a master of arts in counseling from Walla Walla College in 1971. She married Gabe Joseph, of Walla Walla on December 26, 1953.

After moving to Walla Walla, she put her teaching career on hold to help her husband in the family business (9th St. Grocery & Market). Margaret taught school at nearly every grade level during her 39 years as an educator, retiring in 1990 from the Walla Walla School District as a beloved 4th grade teacher at Berney Elementary School. She was an extraordinary teacher who encouraged thousands of young learners to dream big and believe that anything is possible with an education. Wherever Margaret went, in Walla Walla or elsewhere around the globe, she encountered former students who greeted her with a hug and gratitude for as a favorite teacher.

Margaret was an incredibly intelligent woman, spoke three languages and believed that family, faith and compassion were priceless. She lived her life with zest, optimism, faith in God and passion. She believed that life is a gift and that living with intention was a responsibility. She was an entrepreneur, co-producing Gabe’s Gourmet Dressing and Mamma’s Mediterranean Spices for many decades. Margaret was revered as a mother, wife, friend and spiritual sister in faith to many. She was a participant and leader in the local Curcillo, Walk to Emmaus, and The Walk With Christ Movements.

She was a natural and engaging storyteller, generous volunteer for many local organizations including: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Walla Walla Senior Center, Washington State School Retirees Assoc., Hospice, Planned Parenthood, PEO Chapter GO, Phi Delta Kappa, Young Life Board and the Walla Walla Symphony Guild. Her hobbies included writing, fishing (near the family cabin at Mill Creek and salmon fishing), entertaining and cooking. Margaret applied to be the first teacher astronaut in space; advancing through two selection rounds. She and Gabe traveled the world over a few times, visiting many exotic destinations (some more than once) and loved to cruise as a way to explore the world. Cannon Beach, Oregon has always held a special place in her heart, spending many vacations there during the past 50 years (including celebrating her 85th birthday there in 2016).

She taught Sunday School, was a lay-reader, vestry member and devoted member at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walla Walla for more than 63 years.

Margaret was preceded in death by her father George Kaady; mother Sahda Kaady; brothers George Kaady, Abe Kaady; sisters Rose Kaady and Mary Kaady; aunts Gandam Kaady Khoury and Spida Kaady Zidan; uncles Ameen Kaady and Joseph Kaady. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Gabe Joseph, daughters AnnRené Joseph (Lee Bell) of Woodinville, Washington, Margot Joseph Haddad (Edward) of Seven Hills, Ohio, and Susan Joseph Nielsen (Scott) of Spokane, Washington, son Gabriel Joseph III (Karen) of Centerville, Virginia, brothers Victor Kaady (Marlee) of Milwaukie, Oregon, Jack Kaady of Vancouver, Washington and sister Katherine Kaady Saba (Tom) of Norcross, Georgia, 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 12 nieces and nephews and 14 great nieces and nephews.

Margaret lived an amazing life. We know that she is with Jesus now, dancing, singing, fishing and waiting for Dad and the rest of us to join her in heaven. A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held June 10, 2017 at 1 p.m., at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (323 Catherine Street, Walla Walla), with a brief private columbarium service, followed by a mercy dinner for all those attending the service held in the adjoining church parish hall.

The Joseph/Kaady families would like to thank Dr. James Cunningham and the staff at Providence St. Mary Regional Cancer Center for the excellent and progressive oncology care provided, which helped keep Margaret with us for 21 months. The compassionate care provided by Walla Walla Community Hospice and Matty’s Home Care kept Margaret comfortable in her home and with her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church In Memory of Margaret Joseph (323 Catherine Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362), Walla Walla Community Hospice (1067 E. Isaacs, Walla Walla, WA 99362) or Providence St. Mary Regional Cancer Center.

Please share memories on the “Siti’s Salute” CaringBridge site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/sitissalute.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Herring-Groseclose Funeral Home.