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Portrait of Margaret Mary Tarvis
In loving memory of

Margaret Mary Tarvis

February 2, 1953 – September 23, 2022
Lived 69 years
Beech Grove Cemetery · Westport, Massachusetts
Only Love Beats Milk! 🐄💜
Life story

Margaret M. Tarvis, 69, of Westport, passed away suddenly and peacefully, surrounded by family on Friday, September 23, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Brighton, MA. She was the loving wife for 45 years of Thomas Tarvis, and mother of Kimberly M. Tarvis.

Born at home in Little Compton, RI, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Mr. Joseph A. Goulart, Sr. and F. Lorraine (Rogers) Goulart. Margaret grew up milking cows and working on the family farm, Franlart Farm. She was most at home around the cows, and had aspirations to be a veterinarian. However, upon graduation from Tiverton High School, Margaret completed her training to become a Registered Nurse from the Fall River Diploma School for Nursing in 1974. She spent the next 48 years of her life selflessly helping others. Margaret worked as a Registered Nurse for St. Anne's Hospital, Drs. Sosa and Sofia in private practice, and most recently as Director of Nursing for Whitney Academy, where she retired in 2020.

Her real love was working outside on her farm in Westport. Margaret raised Miniature Polled Herefords and chickens, baking fresh pies and sweet bread from the eggs that she collected each day. She loved to bake and give her love to others through the food that she gave away. Each day, Margaret fed the cows, chickens, birds, and sat with her two Golden Retrievers, Holly and Hannah, on the porch, taking in the view of the fields with her husband. Always one to be independent, she operated her own backhoe, front end loader tractor, and two Oliver tractors with a smile on her face. Margaret was an avid supporter of agriculture, and she loved to attend fairs and cattle shows, watching the exhibitors and judging cattle. Her favorite activity was spending time with her daughter, even if it was to grab a coffee at Sip-N-Dip, or just to sit on the couch and create felt flowers. Hallmark holiday movies, Christmas music and the Christmas season were always extra special, and her favorite time of year. Margaret also loved to spend time with others, including her family and friends, where she would laugh, share stories, and just listen. You never left the table at Margaret's house hungry; she was warm, kind, and honest, an angel in the real world.

Margaret leaves behind her husband, Thomas Tarvis of Westport, daughter, Kimberly M. Tarvis, and son-in-law, Andrew P. Murray both of Cobleskill, NY. Margaret was a part of a large, loving family, and she leaves behind her sisters Marie F. Gagnon (Russell) of Little Compton, RI, Ann E. Breen (Robert II) of East Freetown, MA, Dorothy T. Goulart (Greg Fisher) of Little Compton, RI, Joan G. Turner (Jeff) of Cary, NC, and Catherine G. Allder of Little Compton, RI, brother Joseph A. Goulart, Jr. of Cotuit, MA, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her love for those around her, both family and friends, was the essence of her incredible life, and Margaret will be missed each and every day.

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Lifetime

The world Margaret knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1953
Born February 2
1953
Margaret was born at home in Sakonnet Point
1959
Margaret was 6 when Barbie made her debut
1969
Margaret was 16 when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon
1976
Margaret was 23 when America celebrated its Bicentennial
1977
Margaret was married to Thomas Tarvis at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Little Compton, RI
1982
Margaret was 29 when "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" opened in theaters
1986
Birth of daughter Rebecca Ann Tarvis
1987
Birth of daughter Kimberly Margaret Tarvis
1995
Margaret was 42 when "Toy Story" became the first fully computer-animated film
2007
Margaret was 54 when the first iPhone went on sale
2010
Margaret was 57 when Instagram was launched
2021
Margaret was 68 when the James Webb Space Telescope was launched
2022
Passed away September 23, age 69
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Beech Grove Cemetery
Westport, Massachusetts
Plot: F-Lot #10
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