Margaret Virginia Montague Howison

Margaret (Peg) Virginia Montague Howison passed away July 13, 2007 surrounded by her family and friends after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. The daughter of Frank Michael Montague Jr. and Virginia Burwell Gowen, Peg was born on January 11, 1945. She spent her early years on the family ranch in Bandera that her family has continuously ranched since 1858. Her love of horses was equaled by her love of music during her formative years and left a lifelong fascination with both nature and music that she shared with her family and friends. Peg attended St. Josephs School in Bandera for her first eight years and went on to graduate from Incarnate Word High School in San Antonio in 1963. She attended Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado on a music scholarship, and transferred to the University of Texas where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Music in 1967 and her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1971. Pegs love of music was evident at the age of three when she played the piano with her great grandmother Laura Jane Coleman McCarty. At age 5 she began to play the organ with Mrs. Masso in Bandera and she later studied with Lawrence Gonner of St. Marys University. At the age of 47, Peg returned to the academic arena to work toward a degree in Performance Organ studying with Dr. Frank Speller at the University of Texas. She married the love of her life, Jack Howison Jr., on May 25, 1968 at St. Stanislaus Church in Bandera, Texas, after which they spent two years in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Peg taught at St. Josephs School. Upon their return to Austin in 1971, Peg taught at Cunningham Elementary, until her hopes and prayers were realized with the gift of a daughter in 1977 followed two years later with the addition of twin boys. She was at long last, a mom. Pegs life was centered on her family, friends, church and community. A parishioner of St. Ignatius Martyr, Catholic Church for over 30 years, she was actively involved in liturgical planning, music and children's ministries. She unselfishly shared her gifts with all who knew her. Pegs passion, tenacity and vibrant energy were evident in her every endeavor. A devoted and beloved wife and mother, she leaves behind her wonderful husband and partner of 39 years Jack Howison Jr., daughter, Hope Magee Howison Duncan and husband, Chris, and sons, Graham McCoul Howison and Gene Montague Howison, and Celeste Siebenaler, mother of Aydan. Her grandsons; Ethan Christopher Duncan, Dylan Jack Duncan, and Aydan Cade Howison all of Austin, her mother Virginia (Jenna) Montague, her sisters; Jane Montague and Kathleen Montague, of Bandera, Laura Montague Priest and husband, Deg of Pleasanton, Trish Montague-Weaver and husband, Owen of Fredricksburg and her brothers; Frank (Bubba) Montague III and wife, Susan, Bill Montague, George Montague and wife, Anne of Bandera. Uncles; George Montague SM STD of St. Marys University, Paul Gowen and his wife, Claudia of San Antonio and LeRoy Cole of Coronado, California. Aunts; Mary (Kat) Shaw, Margie Utz and Charlene (Bebe) Jaeckle all of Kingsland, and Joy Perry and her husband, Joe Perry of San Antonio. Also surviving her is her aunt Helen (Sweetie) Keith, cousins; John and Deborah Keith of Llano and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her grandparents Frank and Ola Swayze Gowen of San Antonio and Ouida McCarty Montague and Frank Montague Sr., her father Frank Montague Jr., her brothers Charlie and John Montague all of Bandera, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Rosemary and Jack Howison. Sr., cousin Rev. Kathryn Keith and aunts Lucia Chapman, Bina Baugh and Margaret Click. Pallbearers will be Gene Howison, Graham Howison, Chris Duncan, Dave Byrne, Lee Sloan, George Montague, Frank (Bubba) Montague and Bill Montague. Honorary Pallbearers are Phyllis Woodley, John Keith and Peg's Faith Sharing Group: Kathy Cole, Pat Culpepper, Joan Byrne, Netty Hartmann, Sharon Deike, and Sr. Margaret Andre CSC. Pegs family would like to thank the entire medical staff who worked on Peg’s behalf for so many years, especially Dr. Darren Geyer, Dr. Matt McCarty and Dr. Laurence K. Tokaz and their teams of health care professionals. Contributions may be made in Peg's honor to St. Ignatius Martyr, Catholic Church, Pipe Organ Fund. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Monday, July 16, 2007 and 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 17 at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home with Wake service to follow at 7:00 pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 18 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church with Reverend George Montague officiating.