MARTIN, MARGARET ANN MASH (1921 ~ 2015). The following is an obituary for Margaret Ann Mash Martin, spouse of former Texas Attorney General Crawford Martin. The obituary was published in the Austin American Statesman upon her death in 2014.
MARTIN, Margaret Ann Mash
Margaret Ann Mash Martin (Mrs. Crawford Martin) passed away in her home with her loving family around her, on April 5, 2014. She was born on July 21, 1921 in Brandon, Texas and was the only child of Velma 'Dixie' and Earl Mash, but was surrounded by her loving grandparents and many cousins who were long-time farmers and ranchers in the Brandon area near Hillsboro. Margaret attended primary school in Brandon and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1939. She attended The University of Texas in Austin where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi social sorority.
While volunteering in the political campaign of a friend Margaret met her future husband, Crawford Martin, of Hillsboro. They married in 1941 and Margaret was Crawford's biggest helpmate during his political career which included many years in the Texas State Senate, serving as Texas Secretary of State, and his election to Attorney General of Texas where he died in office in 1972. Margaret and Crawford were the parents of three children, Sherry, Jim, and Nancy.
After Crawford's untimely death, Margaret was hired by Texas Secretary of the Senate at the time Charlie Schnabel to direct and expand the Texas Capitol Tour Guide program. For the next six years Margaret managed the hiring and training of college-age young people to lead tours of the Capitol building. She was beloved by the students in the program and many became dear life-long friends. Margaret retired from this position in 1976 to become the caregiver for her elderly mother and aunt who predeceased her.
In the 1970's Margaret began the tradition of spending her summers in the cherished family cabin in Colorado. Each summer she hosted her children and grandchildren as well as many houseguests for whom she served as tour guide and chauffeur for many mountain adventures. She will be remembered fondly in her mountain community for her hospitality and the parties she hosted each summer.
After being a widow for twenty years, Margaret was reacquainted in 1992 with Jerry Templeton, a classmate from her high school. They married that same year and Margaret introduced Jerry to the tradition of summers in Colorado. They also enjoyed traveling and spending time with each other's families until Jerry's death in 1999.
Through the years Margaret supported and belonged to many civic and charitable organizations. In 1979 Margaret was appointed by then-Governor Bill Clements to serve on the Texas Tourist Development Board where she was instrumental in the economic development of the business of tourism for Texas. In Austin, she was a member of the Settlement Club, Austin Woman's Club, State Officials Ladies Club, and past-president of the Senate Ladies Club. She was active in her Austin church, Covenant Presbyterian, but also was a supporter of Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church (where her daughter Nancy is the pastor) and Nederland Community Church near the family cabin in Colorado. In Hillsboro, Margaret was a member of Les Causeuses Women's Club and a founder in the early 1950's of the Philotecnos Kindergarten. She and Crawford were faithful members of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church during their years there.
Margaret also continued active management of the family farm and ranch land in Hill County until her death.
Margaret Martin is survived by three children and their spouses: Jim and Anne Martin of Westlake Hills, Sherry and Tom Hill of Austin, and the Reverend Nancy and Jim Marroquin of Driftwood. Mrs. Martin is also survived by six grandchildren, Martin Hill, Howard Hill, Drs. James and Robbin Marroquin, M. D.'s, Elizabeth Marroquin, Meredith Margaret Martin, and Holly Marie Martin. There are four great-grandchildren: Isabella Marroquin, Elijah Marroquin, Micah Marroquin, and Kaya Hill. Margaret is also survived by her sweet cousins, Crawford's dear nieces, and by her loving aunt Maurine, as well as many long-term friends. Mrs. Martin also leaves behind her dear friend Virginia McIntosh, who was Mrs. Martin's housekeeper and confidante for thirty-eight years.
Margaret's family is very grateful to Dr. Kent Beasley for his many years of care and concern and to Mahogany Brown, Margaret Youens, and Avis Armstrong whose loving care made it possible for Margaret to continue to live in her home until her death.
A memorial service celebrating Margaret's life will be held on Tuesday, April 8th, at 2:00 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin and a reception will follow in her home. Margaret requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances be made to the Crawford Martin Scholarship Fund at Hill College (112 Lamar, Hillsboro, TX 76645), Wallace Park in Hillsboro (c/o 214 E. Elm, Hillsboro, TX 76645), or Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church (P. O. Box 1185, Dripping Springs, TX 78620).
Published in Austin American-Statesman from Apr. 7 to Apr. 9, 2014
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