Mom's BFF

Marge Trinkle and Eileen Gamlin in the late 30's

     I was sad to hear the news that Marge Hough, one of my mom’s life-long friends, passed away this week. 

My mom, Eileen Gamlin Bandy, met Marge (Margie Trinkle) when they started high school together in Raymond in the late 1930’s. The Gamlins lived in a farmhouse on one of the twin hills east of town, and up until that time, mom had attended a nearby country school. Back in those days, there was no “hard road” and travelling back and forth to Raymond for high school was difficult, so mom frequently stayed all night with Marge in town. At one point during high school, she ended up living with the Trinkles for almost an entire year, while the road (now known as the Nokomis Blacktop) was being constructed.

Following graduation, Marge went to business school in Missouri and mom went to business school in Springfield. After a short time, they both returned to the Raymond area. Marge married Raymond “Jiggs” Hough in 1946, and their first daughter, Kathy, was born around the time my mom and dad were married in 1947. My brother, Joe, was born the following year in 1948, and then mom and Marge were expecting at the same time on two occasions: Maury Hough and Bob Bandy were born less than a month apart in 1950, and Becky Hough and Nancy Bandy were born about six weeks apart in 1953. As young mothers raising several kids, mom and Marge felt lucky to have each other for support, especially when it came to dealing with Moe and Bob's shenanigans. In the 70’s and 80’s, mom and Marge worked together at the First National Bank of Raymond.

Marge and Jiggs Hough
in the mid-90's

I have always thought of Marge as one of the nicest people I have ever known, and one of the most resilient women I have ever known. A breast cancer survivor, Marge’s kind spirit and faith remained strong, even when she lost Jiggs after nearly 60 years of marriage, and after losing two of her adult children, Maury and Becky. 

Marge lived in her home until a few years ago when she moved to Tremont Ridge Assisted Living in Hillsboro. A couple of my siblings and I visited her there last fall. At age 96, she was still happy and on the go, and I'm so glad we got to have that last visit with her.   

Marge once gave Mom a bracelet that is made of several links. If you look closely, you can still see the words that are inscribed on each link: “With-Love-To-Eileen-From-Your-Friend-Marjorie-1943.” Mom kept it for the rest of her life. 

Rest in peace, Marge. You will be missed.