Margaret Ann Tusa

Margaret has three children: David Paul Tusa and wife Leslie Zahm, Therese Helen Tusa, and Phillip Anthony Tusa and wife Linda Tusa and four grandchildren: Jeremy Matthew Tusa and wife AshleyTusa, Bethany Marie Tusa and husband Trey Stanley, Michael Joseph Tusa, and Brian Charles Tusa and wife Valerie Wong. Margaret has two great grandchildren Joseph Randolph Tusa and James Thomas Stanley.

Margaret was the oldest daughter of Harold Joseph Vicknair and Margaret Hazel Bodin who had six children-William Joseph, Margaret Eve (deceased), Diane Mary Wanja, Deborah Ann (deceased), and Thomas Harold Vicknair. Her brother William married Carolyn Borel and Joseph Wanja married her sister Diane. Her nieces and nephews are Denise Rene Fucik, Darrell Vicknair, Donna Marie Vicknair, Darren Vicknair, Lawrence Wanja, Michael Wanja, and John Paul Wanja.

She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saint Thomas and her Masters of Education from the University of Houston. Margaret earned her Texas Teacher Life Certificate in three areas-Elementary, Principal, and Supervisor.

She taught in the Galveston-Houston Diocesan Catholic Schools for 23 years. Her background in teaching included elementary, junior high, and high school. Margaret was an Elementary Principal for nine years after which time she became certified to teach Home Economics at Marion High School for six years. She became a Houston Independent School District sixth grade teacher at Braeburn Elementary in 1978 and remained there as Title I Coordinator. She was elected by her fellow teachers as "Teacher of the Year" in 1985 and 1988. That same year she became the Math Presenter to teach Math by Video and Live Television Presentations. For four years Margaret served 19 Private School Campuses in this Title I Program. She was then assigned to a Staff Trainer II position and became a teacher trainer. She retired from the Houston Independent School District in August of 1996 after a 41 year career in Teaching.

Margaret was a parishioner at Saint Theresa Church, Houston who actively participated as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, team leader, office volunteer, bulletin board designer, and "web master" for the church. Joe and Margaret worked as Parish Bazaar Chairman in 1991 and 1992. Together they served as Appreciation Dinner Chairman from 1992 to 1996. They also helped in organizing the Friends of Saint Theresa Golf Tournament Auction and Dinner which became an annual event to benefit the Saint Theresa Community Center.

Margaret and Joe became Brangus ranchers in 1992. Joe became President of the Regional Organization, East Texas Brangus Breeders and Margaret became the volunteer Secretary of the Group. Together they held Regional, State, and National offices for over 15 years. The Texas Brangus Breeders Association is the state level of Brangus Breeders. Margaret served as TBBA secretary for 2000, 2001, and 2002 and Joe served as President in 1995 and 1996.

Margaret Ann Tusa spent her life with her spouse Joe Tusa being involved with their children, St. Theresa Church, and Brangus cattle. Margaret Ann Tusa exemplified Christianity throughout her wonderful life and made a positive impact on anyone that was privileged enough to know her.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 20th of August, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. The recitation of the Holy Rosary will commence at six o'clock.

The Mass of Christian Burial will commence at ten o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 21st of August, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 6622 Haskell Street in Houston, where the Pastor, Rev. Vincent Tran and Rev. Donald Nesti will celebrate.

The Rite of Committal is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at St. Theresa’s Fellowship Hall.

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