Margaret Ella Theresa (Scarrott) Kahoe

Margaret Ella Theresa (Scarrott) Kahoe came into this world on November 9, 1925, at 14 Devonshire St., Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, the third of four daughters born to Joe and Annie Scarrott. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Gregory Catholic Church. She started school at the age of two and a half because her two older sisters were going and she wanted to go with them. They would push her to school in her pram and she would spend most of the day playing or napping on a cot in the afternoon.

During World War II, Margaret worked at the Gloucester Aircraft Company where they made Spitfires to be used in the war against the Germans. She was a keypunch operator and worked on the payroll.

The Yanks arrived in Cheltenham in 1942, and with them came a handsome young 2nd Lieutenant named Timothy Harold (Tim) Kahoe. He wooed her away from her current beau with the promise of all the chocolate bars she wanted. Margaret and Tim were married in 1944 and in short order became the parents of two children, John and Carol, born 15 months apart.

On June 6, 1946, after having traveled aboard the USS Saturnia with her two babies in tow, Margaret landed in New York. From New York they traveled by train to Oklahoma where they were reunited with Tim who had been sent on ahead 6 weeks earlier. She never forgot arriving in Oklahoma in the heat of June wearing a fur coat and a wool suit and her babies dressed with woolen undershirts on. They all nearly died of the heat.

After living for a short time in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Margaret and Tim moved to Tim’s hometown of Norman in 1950, where they raised their family and Margaret continued to reside after Tim’s passing in June, 2001.

Throughout her years in Norman, Margaret was a very active, faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she was involved in the Women’s Club and served that club in many capacities, including president more than once. She was also honored as the Woman of the Year by that organization in 1963. Margaret received many other honors over the years for her tireless efforts not only for her church family but for the community of Norman as well.

Beginning in the mid ‘70’s she began visiting the elderly and shut ins every Sunday, bringing them a few moments of joy and closeness with the Lord through reception of the Holy Eucharist. She continued this ministry until she was 90. She also served her community in many ways, only a few of which were working as a volunteer in the snack bar at the YMCA, working on mail-outs for the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations, helping out at RSVP and one of her very favorites, making knitted booties for the expectant mothers who sought help through Birth Choice. She was also a longtime member of Oklahoma Home Community and Education and a lifetime member of Hopewell Group. As a member of this group, she entered many knitted, crocheted and ceramic ware items in both the County and State Fairs. She won a number of ribbons for her various crafts, the highest of which was for Best of Show for a crocheted tablecloth at the State Fair.

She never met a stranger or neglected to help anyone in any way she could, even if nothing more than to give them a smile and to say hello. She was a great role model for not only her own family, but for many others whose lives she touched.

In 1998 Margaret took a momentous step in her life; she became an American citizen and voted in her first presidential election in 2000. She was very proud of her adopted country.

The family gratefully acknowledges the loving and dignified care provided by TenderCare Hospice over the last 18 months of her life. Margaret passed peacefully from this life to her eternal home on May 9, surrounded by her loving family.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Tim and her son, John. She leaves behind a family who adores her and will miss her until we meet again; daughter, Carol (Tony) O’Bryan and daughter-in-law, Jan Kahoe; grandchildren, Sean (Niki) Kahoe, Todd Kahoe, Cheri Painter, Courtney Tennent, and Scott Tennent and his fiancé, Keri Smith; great grandchildren, Maddie Fields, TJ Kahoe, McKay Painter, JET and Finley Tennent; and one great, great grandchild, Stetson Braman. She also leaves behind step-grandchildren, Patrick O’Bryan, Kellye (Steve) Sparling and Greg (Madeline) O’Bryan; step-great grandchildren, Daniel and Jacob O’Bryan, Sam, Jack and Libby Sparling, and Connor and Molly O’Bryan. In addition, she leaves behind a former son-in-law, Sam Tennent, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends.

A Rosary will be offered at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at St. Joseph Chapel in the Family Life Center followed by a Vigil Prayer Service and Celebration of Life at 6:15 p.m., concluding with a reception, hosted by the St. Joseph Women’s Club. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Friday, May 13, at 10:30 a.m., with Fr. James Goins as Celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice.