Marguerite M. Rawls

at Park Ridge Care Center in Jacksonville, FL. She was a faithful communicant of St. Justin Martyr Orthodox Church, 12460 Old St. Augustine Road Jacksonville, where viewing will be held at 6 pm on Tuesday, 6 Aug 2019 and the funeral service will begin at 7pm, the Trisagion Service will be held on Wednesday, 7 Aug 2019 at 9:30 am. Both services will be held in the Church.

Maggi was born 26 Oct 1927 in Birmingham, AL to John and Madeline Lafreniere von Reeden, first of two daughters born in that city. The family moved to Jacksonville where Maggi and her sister grew up during the Great Depression. Maggi and her sister Lillian Jeanette were enrolled in the parochial school, grades 1-12, of the (now) Roman Catholic Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (I.C.), where Maggi was eligible to skip the first three grades. Maggi treasured learning and at age, three learned from her grandmother how to read music, play piano, and then the 3 rank pipe organ in the Basilica at age 8. She was once caught playing the “Boogey Woogey” on the church organ during a practice session for a Confirmation Mass and was caught by the pastor, Msgr. John Meehan who was unable to withhold a chuckle. Maggi graduated I.C. in 1944 and was accepted into the University of South Carolina, Columbia as a journalism major. She later transferred to the Florida State College for Women (FSCW), now Florida State University, Tallahassee, when it was transforming into a co-ed school. Singularly raising five children from 1950 to 1969, and while still working fulltime, she entered the University of North Florida when it opened and graduated in 1974, earning a B.A. degree in Clinical Psychology. Maggi worked initially with the Jacksonville Port Authority and then spent thirty years as a Senior Buyer with the city of Jacksonville’s Purchasing Division before retiring.

She is predeceased by both parents and her sister, Lillian Jeanette Hobbs, and is survived by her five children: Patricia Murray Lucas (Dennis) of Kansas City, MO, Stephen T. Murray, M.D., Gregory C. Murray, Mark A. Murray, and Kathleen C. Murray, all of Jacksonville, three grandsons, four nieces and nephews, their spouses and children. We render special honor to Park Ridge Care Center and its Rehab Director, Ms. Raelyn Covington, P.T., Ph.D., its Hospice Unit, its ever-caring nursing staff and assistants for the 9-10 years Maggi was a resident at the facility. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any contributions be given to Park Ridge and/or the NE Florida Alzheimer’s Association.