Margaret Ann Meads of Hermiston passed away peacefully at home on April 8, after a long battle with cancer.

Margaret was born May 31, 1942. She was a shoot-from-the-hip gal, a true cowgirl at heart. She grew up tough, but she grew up right with a selfless nature where she put everyone else’s needs before her own.

Margaret was a loving mother to three wonderful daughters and a strong life partner to two amazing men. She excelled at everything she put her mind to doing — from riding steers, queen of Ukiah rodeo, older sister, wife, mother, grandmother, store owner, to friends of many. Loren Wood and Margaret raised their daughters, Lucy (Punkin) and Jody, to be strong women while living on beautiful ranches, riding good horses, and working in the western store together. Loren and Margaret opened Woods Western World in Hermiston, then later had Hamely’s in Pendleton, making it a great “cowboy” store. Then in 2003, Loren rode off into the sunset, leaving Margaret and the girls behind.

In October 2008, Margaret married the second love of her life, Ivan Meads. Ivan and Margaret had known each other since school and had been friends through the years. When she and Ivan were married, Margaret gained two sons and their family of who she was very proud of.

Margaret always had hot coffee and food on the table or a place for anyone who stopped by; and there was always a drink of good whiskey when the stories were being told.  Margaret was loved by so many and will always be someone that we looked up to and strive to be like — a very caring, thoughtful and kind person.

Margaret is survived by husband, Ivan Meads; sister, Katheryn Mitchell (Ken); brother, Bernard Jones; daughters, Lucy (Punkin) Wood McCarty, Jody Wood; sons, Mike Meads (Brenda), Marty Meads (Rona); grandchildren, Lauren Hutchings, Jack Merrill, Patrick, Slade, and Macy Meads, Tanner and Colter Meads; great-grandchildren, Stephen and Maggie Hutchings, Bronson Santana, and Kaylynn, Cactus, and Weston Merrill.

She was preceded in death by daughter, Jacqueline Marie; husband, Loren Wood; and parents, Bud and Ina Jones.

May Margaret rest in peace, and we will all make her proud.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Let’er Buck Room, 1205 SW Court Ave., in Pendleton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, www.justincowboycrisisfund.org.

Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.