Margaret Marie Wilhite

Margaret Marie Bastean Wilhite

Margaret Marie Bastean Wilhite was born in Bon Fils, Missouri on

November1, 1920 to Marie Stein Bastean and Francis Thomas Bastean.

She passed of congestive heart failure at the age of 94 on November. 17, 2014 in St. Luke's Hospital the Medical Center Houston, Texas.

The first part of her life was spent living in and around St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1942 she married Cliff Wilhite and moved to Texas.

She is survived by Cliff B. Wilhite, her husband of 72 years; 3 sisters and 1 brother. She is also survived by her 10 children, 22 grand children, 30 great grand children, and 2 great great grand children.

Through out her life she was an active member of the Catholic Church. In Houston, she and her family belonged to St. Christopher’s, Queen of Peace and finally Assumption Parish. She was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. She belonged to the Legion of Mary, the Altar Society and the Bereavement Committee. She took part in the Charismatic Movement at St. Nicholas Church. She was a founding member of “The Harvest Years” Club of Assumption.

She was a generous supporter of the missions notably through their Christmas cards, sympathy cards and especially enrolling people in Perpetual Prayer and Masses. She believed in the power of prayer.

She lived as Jesus taught and particularly stressed “Forgive those who hurt you.” and “Love one another as I have loved you.”.

She prayed every day starting with the “Morning Offering”. She was devoted to the Blessed Mother, often said the Rosary and always wore the Scapular.

She endured suffering through prayer and her faith. She believed that God does not send a burden we can't bear, if we pray and ask for His help and grace.

She set high standards for herself and family. She believed that education is never a waste and one should continually seek knowledge and grow.

She taught us to face adversity with prayer and then do our best.

She insisted her family do their best: pray, work hard, study hard, pay attention

to detail, dress properly, speak properly and have good manners.

Personally, she had a zest for life that would shine through everything she did. She loved good food and was an excellent cook. She could set a formal table with flair. She loved tea time. She had good taste in clothes and dressed with style.

She created such happiness when she sang, danced and played music. She played the tenor banjo and harmonica. She was a wonderful story teller and drew pictures as she told her children stories. She was talented, playful, creative, fun loving and hard working.

She was devoted to her family. Each and every child was special, wonderful and beloved to her. She knew every child, grandchild and great grandchild. It was a high point in her life to see and visit each one.

She was generous to her children and grand children. She would not miss a birthday, Christmas or special event without some remembrance to let them know she remembered them on that special day.

She had a zest for life and all the good things it holds. She taught us to see and cherish the beauty of nature and to look for beauty where ever it is.

She believed, though we will have sorrow in this world, God did not mean for us to be unhappy. To be bitter, envious, or jealous makes us unhappy. Instead we should seek joy and celebrate the good God gave us. He gave us this beautiful place with song, dance, good food and good people. Life should be celebrated.

She will be remembered not only for her love of life but her sense of adventure and her great love of people.

Many remember her for her loving kindness, forgiveness and compassion.

She was deeply loved and respected by her family and friends. Our prayers go with her. We know she will continue to help those of us she loved so well.

Her light has left our world.

She is sorely missed.