Called Home to Christ: Margaret Baugh (1956-2015)

On Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, we said goodbye to our aunt Margaret Baugh, one of my mom's sisters. Leo Tolstoy wrote that "to him who does not fear [death], everything belongs." I don't think Margaret feared death. She had a mental disability, but a unique ability to love everyone. I'm grateful for her life, our continued life, and that a loved one's passing brings extended family together, if only for a few hours.

Margaret had been in St. Mark's Hospital for about a week, recovering from a colon operation. Post-surgery complications gave her pneumonia and a brief stay in intensive care. She recovered somewhat, and the doctors told her she would soon be going back home to Logan. But then she died, leaving her doctor somewhat perplexed. I was somewhat confused, too, because I had given Margaret a priesthood blessing that she would get better just a few days before she passed.

But then I thought of this scripture:

And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed.

Elder Oaks adds,

even the servants of the Lord, exercising His divine power in a circumstance where there is sufficient faith to be healed, cannot give a priesthood blessing that will cause a person to be healed if that healing is not the will of the Lord.

These teachings, combined with the testimony of one of Margaret's caretakers in Logan (she had some sort of vision of Margaret going to heaven, even before she learned of Margaret's death), is proof to me that Margaret was appointed unto death, called home to heaven.

Full obituary in the Herald Journal: 

Margaret Baugh passed away on Feb. 3, 2015, in Salt Lake City. She was born Feb. 17, 1956, in Logan to Maxine and W.P. "Bill" Baugh. She attended school in Logan and Smithfield and was proud to be a graduate of Logan High and Seminary. Despite her mental disability she learned to read, write and do simple math. 

She attended the Cache Industrial Workshop in Benson and Cache Education and Training in Logan for many years and worked at the Juniper Inn and USU High Rise Junction.Margaret was an active member of the LDS Church. She participated in Special Olympics and won many medals. 

We would like to thank those who worked with and served Margaret over the years. She had many fond memories of friends, caregivers and leaders. The doctors and nursing staff at Logan Regional Hospital and St. Mark's Hospital were so kind and loving towards her in her final days. 

Margaret was preceded in death by her mother and father and her favorite dog Maggie. She is survived by her sisters Nancy Hislop, Katheryn Vernon, Elizabeth Maughan, her brother Clyde, along with nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts. 

A celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St. in Logan. Family will visit with friends 9:30-10:30 a.m., prior to services. Burial will be in the Logan City Cemetery. For a complete obituary, and to extend condolences you may go to www.allenmortuaries.net.