Margaret Noreen Westman

Margaret Noreen Fortney Westman

03 April 1926 -16 November 2025

Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother age 99 years of Roseville, MN died peacefully on Sunday, 16 November 2025. Margaret was a very independent spirit, living in her own apartment until a few weeks prior to her death.

She was born in Saint Paul attending Catholic elementary schools, Saint James School was two miles from Margaret’s home and a long uphill walk home. Margaret helped her parents with the war effort in planting and maintaining their Victory Garden. Her father’s passion for gardening was passed onto Maragret, who was an avid gardener her whole life.

Margaret attended Saint Joesph’s Academy graduating in 1944. She helped pay for her tuition by being a Hostess and Model at Schuneman’s Clothing, Hi-School Shop.

Margaret also attended the University of Minnesota, while working in the office of The Stainless Steel Company until she married.

Margaret met Kenneth Westman on a blind date in high school, dating briefly before parting ways, then later reacquainted upon his return from service in World War II. In September of 1948 they were wed at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. They purchased their home in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood, and following the norms of the era, Margaret became a homemaker and mother to her children.

Margaret was a steadfast Catholic, with a strong devotion to the church and her faith in God.

She was also an engaged member of her neighborhood, serving as an Election Judge for many years. Into her early ninety’s Margaret was volunteering at a local food shelf.

Margret and Ken had an active circle of friends, enjoying dances and organizing social club parties. Margret was an active St. Joesph Academy alumna, assisting in the organizing of many class reunions. Travel was also a large part of their lives, taking several Caribbean cruises with friends. They also traveled to Mexico, South America and Europe.

Margaret was very interested in her family genealogy, devoting years to typing and mailing inquires around the US and overseas, this being long before the easy access of information via computers and the internet; amassing a large amount of information which she contributed to a book on the Fortney Family lineage. She traced family members to the colonies of Pennsylvania and Virginia and ultimately to Europe in 1600s.

When Ken’s health started to decline, Marg devoted herself to being his primary caregiver until at the age of 90 she was no long able to do so. After Ken’s death, Marg moved into a senior’s apartment in Roseville which she enjoyed living in until this past September.

To all who supported Mom especially these last few months, you have our gratitude and thanks.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Sabina Charlotte Garry Fortney, and Roy Lewis Fortney, Sr., her siblings, Marvin, Lyta, Lola, Mary Lou & Roy Jr.; beloved husband Kenneth Westman Sr. and children Mary Westman & Kenneth Westman Jr. She is survived by daughters Denise & Lynn, and sons Kevin & Kerry, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Visitation is at 10:00 AM and Mass at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 2048 Hamline Avenue North, Roseville, MN.

Interment is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 2 PM.

Reception in Margaret’s honor at Station 10 above A Side Public House, 754 Randolf Avenue, St. Paul, MN 3:00 to 6:00PM.

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