Margaret Hale Magness

Margaret Hale Magness passed away peacefully at Brookdale Westlake Hills with her daughter Margi Magness, granddaughter Julia Magness and her longtime friend Rafael Diaz by her side on November 21st, 2015. She was 92 and had lived in Austin Texas for 50 years. She is survived by her daughter Margi Magness, granddaughter Julia Magness, Son Hunter Russell Magness, granddaughters Stephanie Magness and Lauren Magness, Great-granddaughter Everly Magness Buie, her Aunt Claire Hale with whom she enjoyed years of interesting correspondence and many Hale relatives in New Albany. She is preceded in death by her husband Woodrow Wilson Magness and by her beloved son Stuart Wilson Magness.

Margaret was born on May 25th, 1923 in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. She was the only daughter of Margaret Elsie Neal Hale and Davis Ward Hale who was stationed there after graduating from West Point. Margaret spent most of her younger days in Tucson Arizona. She graduated at 16 from Tucson Sr. High where she was in the National Honor Society, the riding club, choir, marching squad, drum and bugle corps, and the drama club. She received her undergraduate education at the University of Arizona where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, Kappa Omicron Phi, the golf club, and F.S.T. women's honorary. She was the President of the Phrateres town girl's service organization as well as the President of the Campus Service Wive's club. She later received her Master's in Social work at the University of Texas at Austin.

Married to Woodrow Wilson Magness on May 29th 1943 they had three children. Woodrow went on to become a Colonel in the Air Force. His service took the family all over the world. He was assigned to the Pentagon and to Oslo Norway and Tokyo Japan with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Margaret and the children enjoyed exploring Europe and Japan. Margaret would jump right into the culture by teaching English and learning the native language.

Margaret was a woman of many talents. She was an avid writer and had columns in several publications including Hobbies' magazine, the Christian Science Monitor, Skiing magazine and a weekly column called Margaret's news from Norway in The Tucson Arizona paper. She also wrote grants for many non-profits. She was an outstanding homemaker and gracious hostess. She loved to entertain both family and friends.

Margaret was a visionary in the health care services in Austin and started a program called Teenage Parent Council as a place for teens with children to receive education and support in raising their children. She worked closely with many non-profit women's health agencies including People's Community Clinic and Planned Parenthood. She was also the founder of the Texas Association Concerned with School Aged Parents. Those who worked with her said she was creative, energetic and believed in causes that supported improved health care for young women in the community.

Margaret had many hobbies and interests. She especially enjoyed spending time at her Ranch with her husband and friends. Margaret was involved in the Highland Park Gardeners where she was the historian for many years. She loved the arts and especially enjoyed taking people on tours as a Docent at the Harry Ransom Center.

Towards the end of her life she struggled with many illnesses. She was taken care of by her daughter Margaret Elsie Magness and granddaughter Julia Magness as well as close friends Kenny Parker and Mary Frances Meyers. One of the highlights of her later years was listening to Julia sing with The Original Bells of Joy several times a month.

Margaret never complained. She aged and passed away with dignity and grace. She was an inspiration to all who met her.

The family would like to express its profound gratitude to Sally Dykstra and all the staff at Hospice Austin for their compassionate, supportive and loving care as well as Dr. Morris and Dr. Hinze who were her doctors for decades.

For those who wish to make a charitable contribution in Margaret's memory, Please consider the following charities. Hospice Austin 4107 Spicewood Springs Road Suite 100 Austin TX 78759, American Youthworks 1901 E. Ben White Blvd. Austin TX 78741, HAAM PO Box 301496 Austin TX 78703-0025, SIMS PO Box 2152 Austin Texas 78768

A memorial will be held on December 12, 2015 from 4-6pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78705. For photos and more details about her life, and to leave any notes for the family with your memories and thoughts about Margaret, please visit the obituaries at www.wcfish.com