Margaret Kirby

Margaret Joyce Kirby passed away on July 4, 2024, age 80, quietly on a National Day of Celebration. Margaret was born on January 28, 1944, in Margarete, England to John and Dorothy Proctor. She was adopted by her maternal grandparents, Frederick and Rosina Mitchell when she was 4 years old. She graduated at 16 years old and went to work on the USAF base. She met her husband, William I. Kirby II and married him in 1961. They had 2 children, Jacqueline and William III.

Margaret traveled with her husband during his time in the service and came to Austin, Texas in 1971, when he was stationed at Bergstrom AFB. Margaret became a Supervisor at Motorola until she retired. After retiring, she worked as a part-time Secretary at Our Savior Lutheran Church until she became her husband’s full-time caretaker. They were married 52 years before he passed away in 2014.

Margaret was always a giving person. She loved being Nana, sewing and cooking. She was also a Foster Parent for many years. Cooking was her favorite and she would host almost every family celebration. She would give up her own food to make sure no one would go hungry. She loved helping everyone and was a good listener and loyal. She also volunteered at her church during VBS and cooked meals for the Blind Ministry. She helped everyone she could whether they were strangers, coworkers, friends, family or animals. She donated to many organizations like the Disabled Veterans, the Police Association and several Animal organizations.

One of Margaret’s proudest accomplishments was studying for and becoming an American citizen in July 1986, so it is befitting that she passed away on our July 4th Independence Day. Margaret is preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, several of her 22 siblings, her husband, William and her granddaughter Marissa.

She is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline Garza and husband Ed and their 3 daughters, Lindsey Fowler, Alyssia Castillo and husband Joe, and Shannon Maresh and husband Blake; Margaret’s son, William III and his 2 daughters; Ana Kirby and husband Drew and Shelby Kirby; grandson Jason Rivas. Margaret’s great-grandchildren include Liam Fowler, Gracelyn and Joshua Castillo, and Sidney and Sophia Castillo.

We would like to thank everyone at Texas Oncology and Gentiva Hospice for their loving care for Margaret.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Margaret on Friday, July 26 at Our Savior Lutheran Church.

In Lieu of flowers please donate to Our Saviour Lutheran Church.