Miss Margaret Rose Lodge

Margaret Rose Lodge was born in Houston Heights, a town about four miles from downtown Houston. She lived in the family’s home on Yale St. until her graduation from Rice Institute in 1935. That fall, she moved to Alvin to teach fifth grade, beginning her lifelong career in education. In the early 1940s, she resumed her education at North Texas State University, earning a degree in Library Science. During WWII, she and her friend Eloise Savell committed to help the war effort and went to work for an aircraft plant near Fort Worth, Texas. When asked if she was a Rosie-the-Riveter, she would chuckle and explain that she handled the management and distribution of aircraft blueprints.

After the war, Margaret Rose brought her library and organizational skills to Pasadena Independent School District where she helped establish a campus library at the recently-established South Houston Junior High School. In 1957 she reprised that role, becoming the first librarian at the newly built South Houston Senior High School, a capacity she held until her retirement in 1978.

Margaret Rose was the epitome of southern charm and grace, holding firmly to certain traditions. If someone would address her as “Margaret,” she would firmly, but politely correct them, saying, “My name is Margaret Rose.”

Margaret Rose was an avid advocate of learning, turning every occasion into a learning event. She was a Phi Beta Kappa, and was responsible for bringing a National Honor Society chapter to South Houston Senior High School, Pasadena Independent School District’s first NHS chapter. She was also responsible for naming “Hector,” South Houston High School’s mascot.

Margaret Rose touched many lives and positively impacted the development of many students throughout her career – and her life. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will endure for many years to come. God bless you Miss Lodge.