Marguerite Jane Grant

Marguerite Jane Roberts Grant, 91, passed away Monday, May 31, 2010 at the home of her daughter after a lingering illness. She was surrounded by her family as she joined her beloved grandson, Patrick McKnight, in Heaven who died unexpectedly six weeks ago.

Marguerite was the middle child of John and Laura Fagnant Roberts. She was born on April 21, 1919 at the old Fagnant homestead in Lava Hot Springs. She had one older sister, Ellis Sabo, one older brother, John “Pinky” and two younger brothers, Joe and Albert. Marguerite grew up in Lava Hot Springs. She was very fond of her grandparents, Francis and Eugenie Fagnant who called her “spit fire” and a “spit fire” she was, taking on challenges and experiences not common for a young woman in those days.

In her youth, Marguerite was an avid basketball player and track runner. She was also an accomplished dress maker, earning many 4-H ribbons for her creations. She graduated from Lava High School in 1937. She attended the University of Idaho Southern Branch (now ISU) for two years studying dress-making and education. She then spent time both working and going to a clerical school in Salt Lake City, UT. Marguerite was the first woman from southeast Idaho to enter the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942. She finished her first tour of duty in 1945 and used her GI bill to go to Traphagens School of Dress Making and Design in New York City. After two years in the Big Apple, she went back into the military with the U.S. Air Force where she worked as a WAC in uniforms and supply until her retirement. She completed twenty years in the Air Force and retired with the rank of Major. While in the service, she had many foreign and stateside assignments including Europe and Hawaii.

Marguerite met and married Philip F. Grant in 1961. Marguerite was an old man's darling as Phil was twelve days older. Together, they had one daughter, Laura. They moved from Shreveport, LA in 1964 to Lava Hot Springs. Marguerite was fortunate as an older mother to not have to work and stay home to raise Laura. Their mother-daughter relationship was one they both treasured until she took her last breath. Marguerite spent many hours knitting and sewing. She also devoted a lot of time to the St. Mary's Catholic Parish Council and the Disabled American Veterans, where she served as the Pocatello chapter commander and Department of Idaho adjutant.

Marguerite and Phil loved to travel and were able to visit many exciting ports of call after their retirement: Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean Islands and most of the United States, Canada and Mexico. They were also snowbirds and spent many winters in Las Vegas and California. In 2007, they moved to Pocatello from their Lava home of 43 years to be closer to their daughter, Laura and grandson Patrick.

Marguerite joins her grandparents, parents, siblings and her dear grandson, Patrick in Heaven. She is survived by her husband, Phil, of 48 years, her daughter, Laura, and son-in-law Kim McKnight, all of Pocatello; two step daughters, Darylann Barker (GA) and Jacqueline Malone (SC) and two step sons and their spouses, Philip Jr. and Nancy and Duane and Ellen (NC); one sister-in-law Afton Roberts (Lava Hot Springs) and several dear nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marguerite's name to the “Patrick John McKnight Memorial Music Scholarship” fund (ISU Federal Credit Union: Alameda Branch 202 W. Alameda, Pocatello, ID 83201; (208) 235-7150). The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Creekside Home Health and Hospice and dear friend, Sandie Calcaterra, for helping them care for Marguerite in her final months of life.