Margaret Johnston Polk

Margaret Johnston Polk, age 76, died at her home in Alamo Heights, Texas on Friday, September 14, after a valiant, five month battle with kidney disease. Mrs. Polk was born in Skagway, Alaska on November 26, 1924, the youngest of eight children. She was raised and educated in Skagway except for finishing her last year of high school in Seattle, Washington. While working with her father at the Canadian Pacific Railroad Ferry Service in Skagway, she met her future husband of fifty-five years, Edwin Polk. Ed Polk, a native San Antonian, was stationed in Skagway during World War II. After only a brief stay at Stevens College, she allowed herself to be persuaded to leave the North, say goodbye to her family, marry Ed Polk, and move to San Antonio, Texas. She lived in San Antonio for the rest of her life, becoming more of a Texan than an Alaskan. While raising and educating three children, she worked outside the home alongside her husband at the Grothaus and Polk Insurance Agency, where she ran the office. Although looking forward to her retirement with visions of traveling, enjoying her grandchildren, and participating actively in the political area, she spent the last ten years of her life helping her husband cope with his Alzheimer's disease until his death in August of 2000.

She is survived by her three children, Edwin R. Polk, III of San Antonio, Cissie Polk Alexander of Houston, and Wendy Polk-Monroy of McAllen; her daughter-in-law, DeeDee Ketchie Polk; her two sons-in-law, Roy C. Alexander and Sam Monroy and her five grandchildren, Courtney, Robert, Sammy, Eddie and Kelly; also surviving are her sister, Beryl Johnston Johnson; and her brothers, Hal Johnston and Vernon Johnston and their families. Margaret Polk was the cement that kept her family together and strong. Her intelligence was immense and her courage in the face of crushing problems was awe inspiring. Her family and friends will miss her questing mind and loving nature. We love you, Mom, and we hope you are with Bubby now.