Margaret Nancy Inch

Margaret Nancy O’Brien was born in a tent on the banks of the St. Clair river in St. Clair, Michigan, on September 9, 1925.

She was the youngest of 2 daughters to Jack (John) and Catherine Paya O’Brien. Marg’s mother, Catherine, passed at a young age. She and her sister, Kate, were assisted along the way by her aunts and uncles living in the St. Clair area.

Marg met her husband-to-be at an ice skating rink in Marysville, Michigan. She dazzled Jack Inch with her abilities and the rest is history. She and Jack eloped March 23, 1942, to Bowling Green, Ohio, and didn’t tell the parents for over a week.

Marg loved all kinds of sports (winter and summer). She was fearless in what ever she attempted to do. On several occasions she swam across the St. Clair river, thru the shipping channels to put her feet on Canadian soil and back again to the USA.

Marg worked a number of years as an operating room assistant and was always sought after by even the most irritating doctors.

Marg and Jack loved children and often had nieces and nephews in their home for beach trips and long distance camping and just overnight or weekends.

They adopted a 5 year old girl in 1961 and named her Mitzi Ann.

The year following, they took in Jack’s mother after a broken hip. The following year they welcomed an extended niece, Tami Paterson, to live with them for almost 2 years.

Marg loved practical jokes and many neighbors became the recipients of these jokes.

Most of all, Marg and Jack loved their family and their church family. They served on many committees and gave Bible studies to many families coming into their church family in the Port Huron Seventh-Day Adventist Church. They often hosted progressive dinners, game nights, meals for visitors, or those in need.

Marg was very competitive in any game she tried. She was very proud of making a hole-in-one playing golf. She also bowled, water skied, and snow skied. She worked as a lifeguard at the Marysville Community Pool and taught 100’s of children and infants to swim.

The move to Gallatin, Tennessee, came at a time when Jack was ready to retire or get transferred. So they move to Tennessee.

They became very active to establish a SDA church in Gallatin and were one of the charter members. They worked visiting people, giving studies and leading out in service. Marg always said “to have a friend, you must be a friend.”

She loved her neighbors and cared for them as family over the many years, and they cared for her in return.

Marg’s neighbors and church family gathered together recently for a small celebration to acknowledge her 100th birthday coming in September.

Marg is remembered by her daughter Mitzi Lipscomb and her husband Kevin; grandchildren Joe Lipscomb, Andy (Joy) Lipscomb, and Laura Lipscomb; great grandchildren Isaac Lipscomb, Abby Lipscomb, Jacob Lipscomb, Lily Lipscomb, Landon Lipscomb, and Vance See. Also, a special caregiver Patti Johnson and her husband, Doug.

Also surviving are a large number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

A special thanks to all who became her Tennessee family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sumner Spay/Neuter Alliance, 720 Blythe Avenue, Gallatin, Tennessee  37066 or ADRA International.

She asked to meet her friends and family next to the sea of glass in heaven when we all get there.

Visitation will take place at Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center on Sunday, April 13, from 1pm until 2pm. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service officiated by Paster Jerry Rimer will follow at 2pm.