Margaret Ruddock was born February 25, 1907 in Boyne City, Michigan to Royal and Edith Ruddock. Her mother died two years later giving birth to a second child who also died. Margaret's aunt May, also a widow, moved in with them to look after the house, and help raise Margaret.

In 1924 Margaret married Alton Beams and had a daughter, Doris Mae. The marriage did not last long as they were divorced on December 11, 1926. Margaret's aunt May had remarried by this time to Edward Fortune. They adopted Doris Mae and raised her.

Margaret remarried on November 8, 1929 to John Bishop in Elkhardt, Indiana. Less than nine years later, in Lansing, Michigan on August 27, 1938, Margaret died of tuberculosis leaving John to raise their two daughters. She is buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery in East Jordan, Michigan.