Margene Tuthill

She is preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Wilson Tuthill and her siblings, Andrew “Buck” Washburn, Zachary “Jack” Washburn, Mary Jo Herrin and Noraine Washburn.

Left to cherish her memory are sister, Betty Lou Yolland; her children, Frederick James Tuthill and wife Julie, John Robert Tuthill and wife Phyllis; grandchildren, Lauren Tuthill, Kimberly White, Elliott Tuthill, Bryan Tuthill, Gregory Tuthill; great-grandchildren, Margaret White and Gemma Tuthill. The family wishes to thank the staff at Cypress Assisted Living, especially Dulce and Keoka, who provided exceptional caregiving services these last 3 years.

The family will receive friends from 3pm to 6pm on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.

Funeral service will begin at 10am, on Monday, February 13, 2017, in the Grand Chapel of Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the March of Dimes: March of Dimes attention: DRFR, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605

Margene grew up on a farm near Kilgore in East Texas. She and her family attended a small country church, Crossroads United Methodist. Her first jobs during high school included working on the floor at Woolworth’s in Kilgore and later as seamstress at a local brassiere factory. Margene moved to Houston after high school and became part of the war effort working as a welder building convoy ships at Todd Shipyards during World War II.

While in Houston, she fell in love with another welder, Frederick Wilson Tuthill. When Fred joined the Army Air Corps, Margene and Fred were married on November 7, 1943. Margene moved with Fred during basic and advanced training to several locations in the southwest United States. After the war, Margene and Fred returned to Houston to re-enter the local job market and start a family.

With Margene’s support, Fred later established an accounting and legal office in southeast Houston. Margene and Fred worked long hours together and Margene’s friendly personality and bookkeeping skills made her an essential part of the business. Fred used to joke that his clients preferred meeting with Margene rather than him.

After Fred J. and John were born, Margene continued with the family business, but was very active in all of her sons’ activities including becoming PTA president at their elementary school. While her sons were in high school, Margene attended San Jacinto Junior College.

After her husband’s death in 1985, Margene continued the accounting practice as a bookkeeping service until her retirement just a few years ago.

Margene put family first. Margene’s sons were her pride and joy. Margene loved them without measure and generously supported them as their devoted mother. After her grandchildren arrived, she become an equally devoted grandmother and loved them without measure as well. She became their third parent. Margene would leave work behind at a moment’s notice to become a fixture at her grandchildren’s little league games and school events or just to pick them up daily after school.

Margene approached everyone she met as a friend and never met anyone she could not talk to. She loved telling stories and sharing a laugh with friends.

Her family and friends will miss her dearly.