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.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be Saturday, October 1, 2022 from the Potter Funeral Home at 8:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Little Compton at 9:30 A.M.
Calling hours will be Friday, from 4-7 P.M.
Interment in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Massachusetts 4-H Foundation https://www.mass4hfoundation.org/ or to make a tax deductible donation, please mail a check payable to Massachusetts FFA Foundation and remit to: Massachusetts FFA Foundation c/o Wayne Smith, Treasurer, P.O. Box 2021, Abington, MA 02351.