Margarita Reilly

Born in Glasgow, Scotland on November 29,1938 to Irish parents at the beginning of WWII, Rita spent many hours at the foot of her grandmother listening to the air raid sirens and never forgot the gift that Allied victory brought. After the war, she emigrated to Canada with her family, but returned to Scotland as a teen where she excelled academically, graduating as the Valedictorian of her school class and gaining entry into the University of Glasgow, a large feat at the time for the working class Catholic that she was.

At University of Glasgow, she experienced some of her best years. She was the national collegiate debate champion of Great Britain and won the Adam Smith Award for Excellence in Economics, the university being where he developed his economic theories.

After university she moved to Canada to pursue a career as a teacher. While in Canada, she made the improbable choice to move near family in Corpus Christi, Texas where she married and had her only child, Laura.

In Corpus, she was a teacher and school district administrator, but was also a strong advocate for educators during her years with Corpus Christi Classroom Teachers being one of the team that helped implement duty-free lunch for school employees statewide.

She was a great defender of civil rights and civil liberties, fighting alongside the greats of her day, often connecting her beliefs with her deeply held Catholic faith.

After her retirement, she moved to Austin to be near the real joys of her life, her grandchildren. She spent endless hours in museums, at school events, world traveling or in the kitchen as “Nanna”. She often said that becoming a grandmother gave her the strength and clarity to make a much needed change in her life.

She also had the opportunity to jump head first into world travel and educational programs at UT after her move. Rita was a very active member of her parish, St. Austin’s Catholic Church, not only as Lay Minister of CHRP, but also being known as the Sunday night Church Dinner dessert maker. She was known to always lend a hand to those in need.

Rita is survived by her daughter, Laura Macmanus Wieland and son-in-law David Wieland of Austin, granddaughter Reilly Wieland of New York City, grandson James Wieland of Austin and granddaughter Mary Grace Wieland of Austin.

We have tremendous gratitude for the people of Belmont Village Westlake Hills and the kind and loving care you gave her. Also, in her final months the invaluable help from Magnolia Hospice, especially her nurse, Lisa Tatom.

A private scattering of her ashes will take place in her beloved Scotland.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Salvation Army.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Reilly family.