Margaret Tate Anderson

Margaret Louise (Tate) Anderson was born to Roy M. and Genevieve Howell Tate on March 21, 1928, in McMinnville, Oregon. She passed away on April 29, 2019 of natural causes after a 2½ year battle with cancer. Margaret was the youngest of four children in the Tate family.

She grew up in the Mt. Tabor area of Portland, attended Glencoe Elementary School, Franklin High School, and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Oregon State College (now University). Margaret was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, as were her two sisters, Josephine and Jane (Betty). She was a member and leader of many service clubs and organizations throughout her school years.

Margaret’s teaching career began in 1949 at Fortuna Union High School in Fortuna, CA. She later taught at San Rafael H.S. and was the first Dean of Girls at the new Terra Linda H.S., both in San Rafael, CA. At San Rafael H.S. she created a comprehensive physical education program that one of her students then turned into a nationally recognized system that was later profiled by national media. After returning to Oregon she was principal of Concord Junior H.S., Concord Elementary School and Campbell Elementary School until retiring in 1987. At Concord she was one of the first women junior high school principals in Oregon. In her jobs as principal she pioneered student behavioral training that focused on the concept of respect and equity. She said that her goal was to change the perception of the principal’s office from a place of punishment to a safe place that was built on respect and care. Margaret received many honors and accolades during her teaching career and beyond. After retiring she continued to be a dedicated educator in every respect for the rest of her life. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honor society of key women educators. She established an endowment fund for the enhancement of student teaching at Oregon State University.

Margaret was an athlete throughout her life. In elementary school she played all sports with the boys and was even captain of the boys’ softball team one year. She recalled that her teachers would say “the girls will do ‘xyz’ and Margaret and the boys will do ‘abc’.” Her career began as a PE teacher. She especially enjoyed swimming, tennis and golf. Throughout her life she was happy to teach others how to enjoy various sports. After retiring she began playing USTA National Tennis Tournaments and joined the National Senior Women’s Tennis Association. She was the NSWTA president for 2001–2003. She played in tournaments around the country, sometimes internationally, and helped organize and host tournaments in the local area. Margaret liked to tell the story of approaching tennis-great Billy Jean King at a tournament once. As soon as she introduced herself Ms. King said “Oh I know who you are. You don’t need to introduce yourself.” Margaret played tennis into her 89th year.

Margaret attended Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church growing up – a church that her grandparents joined in 1906. In her retired years, Margaret became an active leader in the church and was a valued member of the Session as her father and grandfather had been. She was very active in Camp Fire Girls and spent many joyous summers at Camp Namanu as both a camper and a counselor. Her school, church and camp experiences helped shape the generous and wonderful person that she was. Those memories stuck with her throughout her life and she often shared them whenever she thought they would help someone else. Always willing to help, she was honored in her 80s when one of the parishioners at her church asked her to tutor him in English so that he could make better use of the language. She once said “What is life for if it’s not to make things easier for others."

Margaret is predeceased by her sisters Josephine and Betty, brother Robert and nephew Art Brown, as well as her first husband Bill Rattray, second husband Earl Anderson, stepdaughter Kay Anderson Hubbard and her very dear friend Jack Lindeman.

She is survived by nine nieces and nephews – Tim (Debra) Brown, Russ Brown, Ken (Geneal) Brown, David Utzinger, Don (Kathe Tillman) Utzinger, Jane Utzinger, Sue Tate Bentley, Terry Tate (Tad) Patterson and Pam Tate (Scott) Saunders. She is also survived by cousins Barbara Tate (Bob) Cain and Beverly Nielson Rice, as well as numerous grand and great nieces and nephews, three step grandchildren and god-granddaughter Lydia Wunn.

A celebration of her life will be held in Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 17th beginning at 1pm followed by a reception.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers contributions be sent to one (or all) of the following:

Earl Nicholas and Margaret Tate Anderson Fund Endowment || 4238 SW Research Way || Corvallis, OR 97333

Camp Fire Columbia || 1411 SW Morrison St. #300 || Portland, OR 97205

Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church Foundation || 5441 SE Belmont St. || Portland, OR 97215.