Margaret M. Ponce, 93 a long time resident of West Liberty, IA entered into eternal life while surrounded by her loving family on Sunday June 9th, 2013. Born March 13, 1920 in Davenport, she moved to West Liberty in 1939 after her marriage to the late John Ponce, her husband of 53 years. Her mother, grandmother, husband John and brother preceded Margaret in death. Visitation will be at Henderson Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty on Wednesday June 12, 2013 from 4PM to 7PM where a rosary will be recited following. Funeral service will be Thursday June 13, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Liberty at 10:30AM followed by the graveside service at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Those left to honor her memory are her four children Mary Louise (and the late Larry) James of Kansas City MO, Barbara (Douglas) Calvin of Davenport IA, Charles Ponce of West Liberty IA and Marcella (Robert) Dewar of Atalissa IA. Her six grandchildren, Cara (Cliff) McFerren of West Liberty IA, Eric James of Phoenix AZ, Todd James of Dallas TX, Michael Calvin of Anchorage AK, Ryan (Hollie) Ponce of Omaha NE, Amy (Robert) Bruce of Omaha NE, and her six great-grandchildren Hunter, Isabella, Sophia, Maelee and Annaliese of Omaha and William John of West Liberty. Her family was her greatest love, but she held a special place in her heart for her love of flowers. She had a stunning garden of iris, peonies, tulips, daffodils and daisies. She didn’t have much for a garden growing up in Davenport, but she certainly made up for it later. As a child, her grandmother planted cilantro in flowerpots and something called Hierbabuena. “We used it for stomachaches or in soup and also as a seasoning in Mexican meatballs or what we call Albondigas,” she recalled, and the albondigas she made was no doubt the best. She was an exceptional and passionate cook spoiling her family with homemade tortillas, rice and other traditionally homemade staples. She was especially fond of baking. Often the family would tease her about propping her up in the kitchen by the stove saying, “Who will make the tortillias when you go?” We say this all in good humor because we can’t imagine not having her here. Her mastered culinary ability was so expert, that even though she was blind, she could prepare a meal on site by her keen sense of smell, feel and taste. She was an avid collector of salt and peppershakers of various sizes, shapes and descriptions. Her impressive collection began just shortly after she was married. Over 600 sets are displayed in a custom-made glass cabinet her husband built for her. Many were acquired on their domestic and international travels together. The family would always surprise her with a set from wherever they went so her collection continued to grow as she once said, “I have shakers all over the house.” She was a beloved parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a member of the local Garden Club, Ladies Auxiliary and she enjoyed going to the local meal site once a week. She utilized Senior Resources at times and participated in programing at the Iowa Commission for the Blind. The Ponce family has lived more than a century in West Liberty. Both she and her husband worked long hard hours throughout their lifetime. He drove to East Moline daily to work at International Harvester and she tended to the home, cared for their four children, her in-laws and also worked at the Louis Rich turkey processing plant in West Liberty for over thirty years. Sitting at her kitchen table with a cup of coffee as she often did, she would look out admiringly at her beautiful flowers and reflect on life. Although she endured debilitating eyesight, a brush with breast cancer and arthritis, she never complained and there was always a loving smile on her face when her family was there. She has taught us well, given us so much love and been such a strong presence in many lives. She was our greatest joy and will be missed ever so much. Memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice or St. Joseph Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com.