Margaret Housley

WESLACO - Margaret Joe Goode Housley, 89, passed away August 30, 2015.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Glenn; parents Joe and Nora Goode; son, Donnie Glenn; and brother, J.P. Goode. She is survived by her daughters, Claudia (Gaylen) Williams, Plano and Nora (Dr. Robert) Gorhum, Pearsall; granddaughters, Michelle(Adam) Tittor, Glen Rose; Jacqueline (Steve) Moody, Devine, and Jennifer (Zach) Samuell, Plano; great-granddaughters, Stella Samuell, Vivienne Samuell, Maggie Moody and Mina Moody; two sisters, Thelma (Walter) Rhyner, Lozano and Carrie (Tom) Nolan, San Antonio; sister-in-law Joyce Goode, Rio Hondo, sister-in-law June (Jack) Freitag, Mathis; several nieces and nephews; and her loving companion, Kelly.

Margaret was born on the Rancho Colorado, Rio Hondo, Texas on November 29, 1925, to Nora Prichard Goode and Joe Patterson Goode. Her family lived on the banks of the Arroyo Colorado.

Margaret was the oldest of four siblings. Margaret helped her mother take care of her siblings and worked in Red and White Grocery Store that they had in Lozano, Texas.

Following the hurricane of 1933, Margaret and her family left South Texas where they moved to New Mexico. They returned to the Rio Grande Valley where she attended school through the 11th grade. Her family then moved to Waldren, Arkansas where Margaret graduated from high school. Following graduation, she returned to Rio Hondo, Texas where she worked in the family’s store and served hot meals at the lunch counter to men working in the packing shed.

While attending school in Rio Hondo, Margaret met Glenn C. Housley. The two married on May 31st, 1946 in Raymondville, Texas. Margaret and Glenn traveled extensively early in their marriage as Glenn managed crews for produce companies. She went everywhere with him!

Their family grew in 1947, with their first born daughter, Claudia Joe. The following year, Donnie Glenn was born May 5, 1948 and passed away five days later. Nora Faye was born February,1957.

Margaret was a homemaker. She loved entertaining in her home and was a gracious hostess. She loved to try new recipes keeping a file filled with recipes from newspapers, magazines and friends. After her daughters were older, Margaret worked at the Porter Doss Library in Weslaco for 16 years, specializing in children’s education through puppet shows, story hours and summer reading programs. Margaret made many of the puppets and wrote her own scripts for the puppet shows.

Margaret was an avid gardener, several times receiving awards for Yard of the Month. Margaret enjoyed bird watching as she traveled and in her own backyard. She loved to share with visitors about the parrots that would come to her feeders and bring their offspring the next year. She worked hard to keep a pair of chachalacas safe and well-fed in her yard and was rewarded by several years of seeing their offspring.

Margaret was an active member of the community. She served on the Weslaco Beautification Committee. She was a member of the Hidalgo County Historical Commission, a member of the Weslaco Museum Guild and assisted her husband with historical presentations. She was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder. Margaret worked many years as an adult leader with the Rainbow Girls, Mercedes Chapter, receiving the Grand Cross of Colors for her volunteer work.

Margaret and her family loved fishing and camping. She was the official camp cook. She even hosted complete Thanksgiving Dinner at the hunting lease for many years. She also enjoyed many different crafts and hobbies. She enjoyed designing fashions and was a wonderful seamstress. She was a gifted decorator.

The family extends their deepest appreciation to Dr. Leticia Volpe, Dr. Gabriel Gonzales, Dr. William Restrepo, Karen Heilman, Mary Ozias, Ella Cuthbertson, D’Oro Home Health Services, Alma Ybarra and her nursing staff and the staff of Knapp Medical Center for their kindness and care of Margaret. The family wishes to thank the many friends who visited with Margaret and showed their love.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 4th, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at McCaleb Funeral Home, Weslaco. Services will be Saturday, September 5th, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Weslaco. Two o’clock burial to follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park, San Benito. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Sunny Glenn Children’s Home.

Pallbearers will be Jose Puga, Glenn Allen Goode, Michael Glenn Nolan, Rick Freitag, Michael Aranda, Mitch Jones and Leonard Garcia. Honorary Pallbearers will be Marvin Heilman and Leon Nunn.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco.