Margaret Audrain was the youngest of four children born to George James and Mollie Mae (Sears) Sherrick in Ramona, Oklahoma. In the midst of the Dust Bowl Era and the Great Depression, Margaret Ann joined her older siblings, George Henry Sherrick, Maxine Sherrick and Mary Sherrick. Their family was complete.

Four years later, their mother, Mollie, passed away. Margaret's father was devastated. Her older brother and two sisters were comfortable in their Ramona schools and their routines, but their father thought little Margaret Ann needed more care than he could provide. He chose to send her to Tabor Boarding School where she could get more full-time loving care than he could offer. She made frequent weekend trips home to stay close to her family.

Margaret loved her boarding school experience and flourished there. In time, she moved back home and her sister, Maxine, became her primary caretaker. After her graduation from Ramona High School, she pursued further education and a career in Tulsa. She shared an apartment with her sister, Mary and a new roommate, Mary Ann Audrain. Through that friendship Charles Audrain, Mary Ann's brother, met Margaret. He came home from the Army for a family event one weekend and was smitten when he met his sister's new roommate. Their romance was launched. They were soon married on the 26th of December and considered the 26th of any month to be their anniversary, of sorts. They built a long, loving and eventful life together as Charles' career took them around the world. Charles longed to return to Tulsa when it was time for his retirement from the Army. Soon after they returned, Margaret joined her sister, Mary Murray, by working with her in the flower business. They were a highly successful team for years and their creative talents grew exponentially from that relationship. In fact, they were known to break out into song after an especially satisfying event singing, "Sisters, Sisters, never were there more devoted Sisters..."

Charles was an accomplished and decorated soldier and paratrooper, himself. His military career took their family to Fort Bragg, NC, the Panama Canal Zone, Heidelberg, Germany and finally to the Pentagon in Washington DC. Charles concluded his career with his assignment as a Chief Warrant Officer to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Not surprisingly, Margaret was by his side as she embraced her roles as an Army wife, mother and hostess. She made many fine friends from all over, and maintained contact with several throughout their lives.

Margaret and Charles' three children enjoyed a life full of travels and adventures as Army brats. At present, the eldest, Molly Ann Audrain Gille lives in Tulsa. She and her late husband Wm. Craig Gille have two daughters, Natalie Marie Gille of Tulsa and Rosalyn Gille Mosher and husband Mitchell Mosher, also of Tulsa. Margaret's elder son Samuel FJ Audrain lives in Helena Montana with his wife, Barb. Sam also has two children, Luke Audrain and Ivy Ann Audrain.
Her younger son, Matthew James Audrain and his wife Beverly live in Bixby. They have lovingly overseen Margaret's care since her move to Trinity Woods.
Margaret was further blessed with three great-grandchildren, Giovanni Hiner, Isobel Audrain and Lucy Mae Mosher. Last month, Margaret was delighted to actually meet her newborn great-great grandson, Persy.

Beyond her career with her sister in the flower business, Margaret was an avid gardener and reader. She was a remarkable storyteller and could captivate a room with her tales and recollections. Her memory for events and details was a source of pride for her, and awe for others.

She loved to take pictures of family and friends and would never miss an opportunity to be together. She and Charles developed a reputation for "showed up" for people. They made a point to attend every funeral, graduation and performance that involved her loved ones. She created a table display in her home honoring holidays and family members' birthdays. In later years, she and Charles celebrated everything from the opening of a new art exhibit to National Doughnut Day. For memorials she would occasionally bring extra handkerchiefs for the ladies, each personally selected to suit the recipient.

Margaret often quipped that her sister and her husband appreciated a good funeral as much as she, and the three of them frequently attended services together. Charles and Mary enjoyed sharing their own observations afterwards. More than once she caught the two of them mouthing to each other, "too long" as they left a service. Not Margaret. She never tired of an event that was lovingly executed. In fact, she never tired of life. Her body, maybe, but not her spirit. She always closed her goodbyes with the reassurance that we would talk or see each other again soon, saying,

"to be continued..."

Funeral services will be at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 1:00 p.m, on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. A reception will follow in Forbes Parlor. Interment will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, in Tulsa.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151