Margaret Louise McAlister

Margaret Smith McAlister, a Tampa native and lifelong resident, passed away peacefully on September 11th 2017. Margaret was a proud graduate of Hillsborough High School, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a certificate in organ from her beloved Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University). She continued her organ studies as a graduate student at the Juilliard School of music in New York City. At the age of fourteen, she became organist at Highland Avenue Methodist Church in Tampa, and served as organist at a variety of churches during her high school and college years. In 1947, Margaret became organist at First Presbyterian Church in Tampa, where she served faithfully until her retirement in 2012. During her tenure there, she also served as musical director a number of times. Margaret was a member of the American Guild of Organists since 1940. She served two terms as Dean of the Tampa Chapter, and several terms as A.G.O District Convener for the state of Florida. Each year, the Tampa Chapter of the A.G.O. bestows a scholarship in Margaret’s name to a local organ student. Donations to this fund may be sent to Mr. Van Howard, 17303 Cinnamon Fern Way, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638. She was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, national music honorary, and was a member of the music faculty at University of Tampa and Clearwater Christian College. She also served as music department accompanist for twenty five years at Hillsborough Community College, Ybor Campus, in Tampa. Margaret served as State Chairman and Member of the National Executive Board of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and was a Certified Associate Church Musician in that organization. Margaret also served as a member of the Worship Sub-Committee of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay.

Margaret is pre-deceased by her parents, Ernest P. and Bethel Lane Smith, her brother, Ernest Smith, Jr., and her husband of 37 years, James McAlister. She is survived by a sister, Gladys Sperry of Worcester, MA; six children: Margaret McAlister of Tampa, James McAlister, Jr. (Joyce) of Wesley Chapel FL, Lane McAlister of Tampa, Ernest McAlister (Desi) of Surf City, NC, Mary McAlister Scaglione of Tampa, and Andrew McAlister (Christi Craig) of Temple Terrace. Margaret also leaves behind her grandchildren: James Paul McAlister (Amanda), Michelle McAlister, Elizabeth McAlister, Joseph Scaglione, Katherine Scaglione, Thomas McAlister, and Adele McAlister. She is also survived by great grandchildren Tyler McAlister, Sheyenne McAlister, and Dakota McAlister.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, September 22nd at Blount and Curry, Carrollwood Chapel, 3207 W. Bearss Avenue in Tampa, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 23rd at 11:00 AM, First Presbyterian Church, located at 412 Zack Street in downtown Tampa. Margaret lived a wonderful and fulfilling life, and will be missed terribly by family and friends. Special thanks to the staff at Brighton Gardens, Tampa for their kindness and compassion during her time there.

SOLI DEO GLORIA