For some, the produce stand at Eastern Market won’t be the same. Photo by María Helena Carey
There are some characters on Capitol Hill that you feel like you know simply since you’ve observed them for years. They’re threads that knit the neighborhood together, and in their absence it becomes clear how their spirit was integral to our beloved ‘burg. Louise Morgal, a staple of the market community since the 1960s, was one such woman. She passed away on February 23 at the age of 89.
Mrs. Morgal, known to some as “Ma”, was more than a staple on the farmers line. Her bags of mixed veggies called out to stock parts yearning for hearty soups. Lima beans and peas, fresh from the field, made their first appearances on some plates thanks to her urging. Her recipe advice was frequently sought and you could count on her warm-hearted presence rain or shine. The multi-generational Morgal family has worked at Eastern Market for more than 90 years.
Mrs. Morgal is survived by her daughter Amy Windsor (Chester); son David Morgal (Brenda); four grandchildren Joseph, Anna, Katie and Christina and six great grandchildren.
If you’d like to leave a message for Mrs. Morgal’s family, Angie’s Flower Stand, adjacent to Market Lunch inside the South Hall is maintaining a book for the family.