Staff Writer
Mary Thomas Margison, a resident of Woodland since her birth on May 10, 1916, was the guest of honor Saturday afternoon at the Woodland First Baptist Church during which time she was awarded the Boston Cane, in honor of being the eldest resident in the Woodland community.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Herbert Ketch presented Mary Thomas Margison, 93, with the Boston Cane on Sept. 26.
Mrs. Margison, 93, was greeted by friends and family members and a slideshow portraying special moments in her lifetime was shown. Following the slide show presentation and best wishes and comments rendered by some of the many guests at the church, Herbert Ketch bestowed the Boston Cane to the honoree, who was all smiles, very gracious and shared her wonderful sense of humor.
Mrs. Margison also received a congratulatory message from Keith Madore, director of alumni relations at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, who also sent an UMPI sash and hour glass, commemorating the university’s centennial celebration, in 2003.
It was the two-year teacher training program at the State Normal School in Presque Isle which she completed in 1938, that began a rewarding teaching career beginning in Mars Hill. Mrs. Margison retired in June 1980, having been an educator for 37 years in the Caribou School system.
Generations of the Thomas family have resided in Woodland since it was known as Township 14, Range 3. Benjamin and Moses Thomas, Mary Margison’s grandfather and great uncle arrived from Oxford County in 1859 and worked lots in the north part of the town with their neighbors Frederic E. Lufkin and Enock Philbrick. The area was incorporated as a town on March 5, 1880 and named Woodland.
Mary’s father, Franklin continued with the family tradition by farming the homestead. On June 13, 1906, he married Alma Wiggins, daughter of Leonard and Margaret (Witten) Wiggins, who was born in Haynesville, N.B. Mary had two older brothers, Leonard and Albert. Albert died in 1929.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were members of the First Baptist Church of Woodland in Colby Siding, next to Peterson’s store. Mary’s father, Franklin, was a church deacon and served on the Board of Selectmen as well as on the school board for the Township. He was an elected representative in the State Legislature in 1931, 1933 and 1945.
In Sept. 1945, the Aroostook Republican reported that the, “home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Thomas was the scene of a very pretty wedding on the evening of August 30, when their daughter, Mary Gertrude, became the bride of Eugene Alfred Margison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Margison, also of Woodland.” The paper continued its report by describing the floral decorations of the home, what each member of the bridal party wore, the bride’s jewelry (a silver chain and pendent from the bridegroom) and the list of attendees.
Alfred and Mary Margison had one daughter, Susan, who resides in New Jersey with her husband Stephen; and one grandson, Charles.
Family and friends who shared the afternoon affair with the Boston Cane recipient testified that Mary Thomas Margison has provided a loving example of the meaning of family and that her roots are firmly planted in the soil of Woodland.
Mrs. Margison has continued to support the Woodland Church as a deaconess, choir director, pianist, organist and librarian.
Mrs. Margison remained close to her brother, Leonard, who lived in Woodland with his wife, Pauline Pike, until his death in 1991. The couple had two daughters, Priscilla (Mrs. Warren Dobson) who resides in Woodland and Elaine (Mrs. Allen Thomas) who resides in Garland.
