Margaret Louise Rector

Margaret Louise Rector, age 85, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2005. Margaret was born in Stamford, Texas April 20, 1920. She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Mamie Rector, and sister’s Dorothy Tuck and Lyndall Hodges. Her life was filled with grace in service to family, friends, associates, and there were many. Every life she touched was the better for it, and she was dearly loved in return. Her memory will live forever in the hearts of those whose lives she enriched with her friendship. Her favorite sport was golf in which she participated for thirty-five years. She was known for shootin’ down the middle and a good putter! She cherished her faithful friend Dorothy Kerbow, her loyal golfing pals, many lifetime friends and three wonderful nieces, Lois, Ann, and Michele. Margaret loved to travel and took many trips abroad. Organizations of which she was a member were Texas State Historical Association, Austin History Center, Chancellors Council, Littlefield Society University of Texas, and American History Center University of Texas Austin. She donated historical collections from her family to the Humanities Research Center at University of Texas Austin, and the American History Center University of Texas, Austin. In 1981 she edited the text of the book COWBOY LIFE ON THE TEXAS PLAINS – THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF RAY RECTOR – Introduction by John Graves. Other favorite organizations which she loved and supported were the Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera, and Festival Hill and James Dick at Round Top, Texas. Margaret worked thirty-five years for the State of Texas which include Secretary of State, Texas Real Estate Commission, State Securities Board, and State Building Commission. She is survived by sisters Elaine Magnuson of Chesterfield, SC, Lena Rector of Austin, TX, brother, Tommie Rector of Stamford, TX, beloved nieces’ Lois Laney of Chesterfield, SC, Doris Berliant of Florence, KY, Michele Nalls of Arlington, VA. A memorial service and reception in celebration of Margaret’s life, and to express thanks to family and friends for their loving care during her illness, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2005, at Umlauf Sculpture Gardens where she served as a volunteer for ten years. The family expresses appreciation for the care given Margaret by Brighton Gardens, her final residence. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Austin. Obituary and guestbook available online at wcfish.com