Maxine Peek Masters passed peacefully at Kindred Hospice in San Antonio, Texas on January 23, 2019 after unexpectedly suffering a stroke on Christmas Day 2018. Maxine was born in McAllen Texas on June 17, 1935 to parents Harry Harrison Peek and Teodula Garcia Peek. She is survived by: her husband of 39 years Benjamin Franklin Masters Sr. of Kerrville Texas, her brother Max Peek of Austin Texas, and her sister Madeline Saenz of McAllen Texas. Maxine is also survived by her four children: Sylvania Morales Reyna, Marlene Morales, Martha Morales McIntyre, and Leonel Morales Jr., and five stepchildren: Ben F. Masters Jr., Bobby Masters, Carolyn Franz, Byron Scott Masters, and Major Masters, as well as 14 grandchildren from her blended family.
Maxine graduated from McAllen High School in 1952. She worked as a part-time typesetter at The Mission Times while attending Pan American University in Edinburg Texas. Maxine continued to work at The Mission Times until moving to The Town Crier in McAllen Texas where she would work for the remainder of her career. At The Town Crier, Maxine successfully rose to the position of Business Manager and was one of few Hispanic women professionals in print media at the time. She was forever grateful to both The Mission Times and The Town Crier for providing her challenges and opportunities as she built her career. At The Town Crier, Maxine chaired the United Way campaign for many years, helping raise funds for philanthropic organizations in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
After her retirement, Maxine found time to travel with her husband, family, cousins, and friends. She also spent time exploring her Native American heritage (Lakota, Cherokee) by participating in POW WOWs and collecting Native American art and handicrafts. Throughout her life, Maxine’s primary passion was her husband and family. She kept in close contact with her immediate and extended family including aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins. Utilizing this vast network, Maxine compiled a family history, which she continued to work on until her passing. She also kept in close touch with colleagues and numerous high school classmates whose friendships she treasured.
A memorial service in honor of Maxine Peek Masters will be held at 11am on Friday, February 15, 2019 at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home located at 1701 Austin Highway, in San Antonio Texas, with a burial following at 2:30pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Maxine’s family will host a hospitality reception for all guests beginning at 10am prior to the memorial service, followed with a luncheon (on premises) prior to the burial.
