Margaret Alice (Fields) Nevills


Margaret Alice Nevills, a resident of Montesano, died Thursday, May 7, 2015 at The Hampton at Salmon Creek in Vancouver, WA. She was 90. Margaret was born in Montesano on March 5, 1925 to Ralph and Leota Fields. Her father passed away when she was 9, her mother remarried, and she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Harry Kutchera.
Margaret graduated from Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen in 1943. Soon after her high school graduation, Margaret met the love of her life, George A. Nevills, and they were married June 20, 1945. Together, they raised four children while running a business, Nevills Construction; working fulltime; and being involved in several civic/community activities.
Throughout the years, Margaret held several secretarial positions from legal to the construction business. She always was meticulous about her work.
Margaret is better known to thousands of Grays Harbor children (and adults) as the “Story Telling Lady” or “Mrs. Claus.” She traveled throughout the county for a number of years, reading to elementary students, always dressed in costume. She enjoyed performing and shared this love through her involvement with the Driftwood Theater, starring in a number of shows, as well as entertaining at various nursing facilities on the harbor. She was a member of the Rebekahs and a few singing groups. Margaret was very involved with the Montesano Little League, serving as Player Agent for many years, as well as with the Girls’ Softball Association from its beginnings in 1975. She is also well-known by the senior population, as she taught water aerobics and senior exercise classes for many years.
She very much enjoyed family time, camping, traveling, square dancing and going on motorcycle trips with George.
Margaret is survived by her sons John Nevills of Cosmopolis and David (Jean) Nevills of Hillsboro, OR and her daughters Georgia Hayth of Vancouver and Melissa Patterson of Montesano, her sister Leeann (Kenny) Ohman of Vancouver, her nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Nevills; her father, Ralph Fields; her mother and stepfather, Leota and Harry Kutchera; her granddaughter, Lisa Strongwill and her brothers Richard Fields, Eddie Fields, and Jay Kutchera.
A funeral will take place at noon, Friday, May 15 at Harrison Family Mortuary in Aberdeen followed by a private graveside service for family members at Wynooche Cemetery in Montesano.