Margueritte Anne Cody
Margueritte Cody, better known as Margaret, was born November 2, 1905 to John & Lula Spencer Cody. Her grandkids called her "Grandma Bee". Her father moved the family to Montana in search of work at the copper mines. It was here, near Butte, where she was born.
She was an excellent horsewoman and handy at many things. She had to be ready to move on a moment's notice, for her husband, Bee Bell Knapp, had itchy feet and would move his family many times. Margaret had to sleep in the open air or tents many a time. She had to be a survivor to handle the rough weather and maintain home, kids, food, etc., in a barren wilderness.
Grandma Bee was a wonderful cook. She was always taking food to neighbors and sick folks. She made the best cinnamon rolls in the world. Her pantry was always full of home canned food. She was faithful to her church.
It was always fun going to their house. The smells from the kitchen would greet you even before the door was opened. She would have a batch of cookies fresh out of the oven! I remember taking a bath in the washtub in the kitchen after eating warm peanut butter cookies. She told me I could eat as much jello as I wanted, because it wasn't fattening.
Grandma Bee was a good seamstress. She made the grandkids' clothes. That was wonderful, because I got everybody's hand-me-downs. So it was nice to have something no one else had worn before. She also made my doll's clothes.
She was one who didn't sit idle. She was always knitting or crocheting or something. As all folks, she had her oddities, too. But I guess those things just endeared her to us even more. We got used to her giving advice and telling how things should be done. We would just accept it as "her way". But her last few weeks of life held no complaints. She was diagnosed with cancer, and it released her from this life quickly.
Grandma Bee had a different way of saying "I love you." She showed it with her labors of love, with the fruit of her hands. She, too, passed on her heritage to us.
picture: Margaret Anne Cody, graduation