Margie Dean McGough Bruce was born on June 30, 1936, in West Monroe at home on the corner of Dean Chapel and Arkansas Road. That area defined Margie’s young life. She was the first born to Ollie and Mae Dean and was the sister to Ollie Ray Dean. She learned to love the outdoors from her Daddy and that continued through every season of her life. She worked on the farm with her Daddy and learned to love music as a young girl. She took 12 years of piano and later learned to play the saxophone.

Margie moved to Bastrop at age 5. Her parents provided well and her Daddy relocated the family with his job at International Paper. Her mother was a Church of God minister. She loved her school years in Bastrop where she graduated High School. She met her husband growing up as they rode the school bus together. They married in college and later moved to Natchitoches where Lawrence got his education certificate and Margie also attended. Later they returned to West Monroe where they started their family of three children in five years.

They built the first of two homes on Good Hope Road. Within two years, Margie’s beloved Daddy went home to the Lord and Margie’s mother moved into that first house and Margie and Lawrence built the home that is still in their family.

Lawrence excelled in this career in education teaching at Neville and provided for his family. Margie was in her element as the busy mom of young children. Lawrence and Margie founded McGough’s Taxidermy in 1963. Margie accepted all the projects and welcomed every person that walked through the door of their home-based business. She organized the freezers so that every order was meticulously in sequence. Lawrence did the assembly and Margie ran the show! Margie listened to the stories of the acquired projects attentively and with interest, thus becoming the face of McGough’s Taxidermy. She was dressed to the nines as she greeted every hunter that entered. That business now continues through their son, Larry, and even her two granddaughters, Haley and Lawren, know the family art.

Margie was never idle. She worked at Field’s for many years, at Merle Norman on Cypress Street and at Jewels by Robert. In later years Margie spent her Spring at West Feed Mill with Kathy helping customers. Each of these experiences brought beauty to others and those who Margie touched. In later years Margie could always be found in Monica’s shop visiting clients who were getting their hair done. She loved to laugh and tell everyone how pretty they looked at the end of their visits. If she only knew that the prettiest one was her sweet spirit. Each of these friends were her friends- not just Monica’s clients. Many times, she knew who was on the appointment book and made sure to time her visit to coincide with them. That truly kept her going.

Margie was forever creating her home and moving things around. Every single nook and cranny had a story. This love of home inspired her daughter, Doris, to design for others. Margie’s eye for details continues to weave through her children and grandchildren.

After Lawrence passed away at a young age, Margie remarried Bob Bruce. They built a beautiful camp on Caney Lake where Margie loved spending time. Margie felt closest to the Lord in nature. She found solace with her Creator in the beauty of His Creation. The sky, the birds, the flowers…there was no limit to God’s abundance and Margie savored that throughout her life. Margie took to heart one of the founding principles in Genesis to “tend His garden”.

Margie also honored the fifth word in the Bible….” create”. Throughout her life Margie created a home and place with an eye for details and style. Her home reflected her “tending” and “creating”. Each corner, every chapter, every stanza was sprinkled with her touch.

Margie loved music and especially the blues. She adored Doug Duffy and could be found many an evening in her kitchen dancing to her DVD of her favorite blues musician, Howlin’ Wolf. How amazing to think that Margie is now dancing before the Lord and rejoicing. No blues just beauty.

Margie joined her beloved family in Heaven on March 21 right after the first day of Spring. How perfect! She will be remembered at a service on Tuesday, March 24 at 1:30 pm at Halsey Pavillion on Arkansas Road in West Monroe.

A story began a few miles away and a lifetime of memories to cherish as the story concludes. In her memory notice the flowers that bloom, turn up the music and know that a visit with someone you love is a precious gift.

The family would like to thank Dr Floyd Jones, who was Lawrence’s student many years ago and Margie’s long-time physician. Special thanks to Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care where each of the staff tended to Margie with sincere care. Also, Debra Bagwell was a long-time friend who shared many hours sitting with Margie out of her love for their family. Margie’s daughter-in-law, Debbie, graciously opened her home to Margie over the last year of her life. That generous hospitality was a blessing.

Margie is survived by her daughter, Monica and husband, Scott Ingram. She is survived by her son, Larry, and wife Debbie and her granddaughters, Haley McGough and Devon Carson and Lawren and Matt Mills. Her beloved niece, Michelle Dean, and nephews, David and James Dean and her sister-in-law Jo Dean.