Margaret Finerty Pate, age 87, died peacefully on Tuesday November 9, 2021 in Dallas surrounded by her family. Born to Russell and Avis Finerty in El Paso on October 23, 1934, Margaret earned degrees in Spanish and French from Texas Western. She taught in Ysleta and Odessa, before moving to Dallas, where she taught school and worked at Neiman’s. While out on a date in August 1959, she spotted fellow Texas Western alum Gilbert Pate, also out on a date. Margaret dragged her date a block to say hello, they chatted briefly when it came up that Margaret needed a typewriter. Gilbert didn’t own a typewriter, yet he showed up at her door the next day with a typewriter.
Margaret and Gilbert were married on February 13, 1960. Margaret was preceded in death on May 8, 2008 by her husband Gilbert after 48 years of marriage, her parents and her brother Michael Finerty. Margaret is survived by her son Russ and his wife Leticia Pate and their children, Sophia and Rafael; son Dr Preston Pate and his wife Dr Tamren Pate and their children Samuel, Sarah and her husband Justin, and Mary; daughter Susan and her children Patrick and wife Yeneri, Jennifer and husband Bayley; daughter Joanie Dickson and her children Austin, Katie and Charlie; son Andy and wife Laura Pate and their children Emma, Evelyn and Joseph; daughter Catherine Pate and her son Gabriel; sister Cathy and Roy Sanders; sister Sherrie and Bob Scott; sister-in-law Carol Finerty, 3 great-grandchildren, Leo, Nico and Anna and many nieces and nephews.
Margaret had a long career in real estate in East Dallas with Clements Realty and Whiteside Coldwell Banker. She was an active parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, a den mother, and a class mom at Woodrow Wilson High School. Mom was an accomplished seamstress, sewing everything from prom dresses to quilts that adorn family beds from California to Missouri. She will be fondly remembered for the endless numbers of desserts she would bake for her family and friends. Above all, mom was a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister.
Friends are invited to join us at Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home, 10501 Garland Rd., Dallas,TX 75218 on Thursday, November 18th from 5-7pm for the viewing with Rosary to follow. Funeral Mass will take place Friday, November 19 at 10 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 6306 Kenwood Ave., Dallas, TX 75214 with the burial to follow at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd. Dallas, TX 75228.
Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or to a charity of your choice.
