Margaret Gavin Henze

Margaret was born on August 31, 1937, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Tom Curly Gavin and Marguerite Costigan Gavin. She made Memphis home at age 4, where she graduated from Sacred Heart High School and was a proud member of Chi Sigma Sorority. She attended the University of Memphis and earned her bachelor’s degree in education. Margaret was a member of the Newman Center Catholic Club on campus at the University of Memphis and served as their president in 1957.

Affectionately known as “Gran” to her family, Margaret was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a steady presence in the lives of all who knew her.

She dedicated 26 years of her professional life to DeNeuville Learning Center as a teacher, where her patience, warmth, and commitment left a lasting impression on students and colleagues alike. Margaret continued volunteering for many years after her retirement at DeNeuville.

Margaret was a loyal member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Memphis, where her quiet devotion and lifelong faith were constants.

Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, James C. Henze.

She is survived by her son, Thomas Henze of Memphis; her daughter, Beth Stewart, and her husband, Don, of Germantown; her grandchildren, Jeremy James Stewart of Memphis and Anna Stewart Addison and her husband Ben of Oakland and her great-granddaughter, Margaret Elaine Addison, whom she cherished beyond measure. She is also survived by her sister, Katherine Gavin of Germantown.

Gran will be remembered for her grace, her steadiness, her deep love of family, the time she spent with her family at the beach and the way she made people feel safe and welcomed. She lived her life with dignity, kindness, and purpose—and she leaves behind a family forever shaped by her example.

Visitation will be held on January 20th at 9:30 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8151 Chimneyrock Blvd, Cordova, TN. Funeral Service will be held January 20th at 10:30 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8151 Chimney Rock Blvd, Cordova, TN. The Burial will start around noon and Reception to follow at Memphis Funeral Home, 3700 N Germantown Parkway, Bartlett Tennessee 38133.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to DeNeuville Learning Center, 190 South Cooper Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38104.