ABILENE, Texas - While some recalled Maggy Morford for her contributions to education and the arts community in Abilene, her son David had a little different description of his mother, who died Sunday at age 94.
"She was a force of nature," he said, noting she was strong-willed and independent.
"She not only wanted to be involved, she wanted to run things," he said.
Margaret Anne Morford moved to Abilene in the early 1950s with her husband Robert, a cattle salesman. She immediately became involved, particularly at St. John's Episcopal School, where she served as president in the 1990s.
"She was a cornerstone for St. John's," said Rebecca McMillon, head of the private school which began in 1952. "There's always that one person in a school or an organization who is so important to the development of it, and Maggy is one of those."
Maggy Morford grew up in Fresno, California., and worked for legendary Hollywood director Howard Hawks in the 1940s. She recalled in an interview in the Reporter-News in 2000 that she met Hawks through her uncle, actor Walter Huston, the father of director John Huston.
"It's a very glamorous business to many people," Morford was quoted as saying. "Really, it's a lot of hard work. There was always an adversarial relationship between Hawks and the studios."
One of the movies on which Morford worked was "To Have and Have Not," the movie which marked the screen debut of Lauren Bacall, as well as her romance with her co-star, Humphrey Bogart, who Morford recalled as a "gentle man, came from a good family and was well educated."
Morford's career in Hollywood ended in 1945, when she married. She and her husband moved to Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Memphis before coming to Abilene in 1961.
In the 1970s, the Morfords founded the Morford Cattle Co., for which Maggy Morford served as vice president. McMillon said she had an excellent business mind.
"She was sharp," she said. "She was a leader in the community."
Morford was also a member of several boards in Abilene, including The Grace Museum and Frontier Texas!, United Way, Sears Methodist Retirement Center and the Community Foundation of Abilene. She and her husband, who died in 1992, established two funds at the foundation, including one for St. John's. She was one of the founding member of Los Aficionados, a support group for The Grace Museum. She was active in her church, the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.
In 2008, Morford was honored her contributions to the arts by The Grace Museum at its annual fall benefit.
However, Jeff Salmon, the director of Frontier Texas!, said that he believed her biggest passion was for St. John's. McMillon said she thought the school fit into what Morford believed education should be.
"I would like to think that we were the benefactors of her love of education," she said. "St. John's fit that mold. Mediocrity was definitely not part of her personality. You always shrived to be the best. She has played a vital role for us and we are going to miss her terribly."
Maggy lived life to the fullest! She traveled extensively and eloquently shared stories of her travels. She was an avid reader and instilled the love of reading in her sons. Maggy had an active social life and was always ready to attend a party, social event, church event or host one. If it was happening-Maggy was there! Her sons often joked that she led a more active social life than they did. She was a very talented artist, and her paintings are treasured by her family. Maggy enjoyed living at Wesley Court, rekindling old friendships and making new ones. An independent woman, she would load her walker on to her Golf Cart and head to the dining room. We asked her not to speed but she made no promises. Always looking for a new challenge-at 94 she took up Bridge and was taking lessons. Her life is truly an inspiration to her family and it was always fun to find out what she was up to next.
Maggy lived a life of service and leadership to the Abilene Community that she loved dearly. Maggy was described as the consummate volunteer and philanthropist. She was an active, hands-on, get the job done person who sought neither recognition or praise. She did so with grace, caring, empathy and willingness to help those in need.
St John's Episcopal School had a special place in Maggy's heart. She generously gave in spirit, wisdom, and resources. The endowment she established through the Community Foundation has enabled hundreds of students to receive and excellent education.
Some of the nonprofit boards Maggy has served on include: St. John's Episcopal School, Just People Inc, Grace Museum, Sears Methodist Retirement Center, City Parks Advisory, Library Advisory and the Community Foundations of Abilene. She was a founding member of Los Aficionados, a support group for the Grace Museum. In 2008, the Grace Museum honored Maggy at their Fall Benefit fundraiser. She was honored by AAUW for Women of Outstanding Achievement, Power and Courage on August 13, 2015.
She was preceded in death by husband,Robert(Bob)Morford;her son, Robert Morford; Daughter-in-law, Suzanne Morford; and grandson, Travis Morford. Survivors include children, Mike Morford (Penny); Pete Morford (Danni); and David Morford. Grandchildren, Eric; Caleb (Ashley); B.J. and 1 Great Grandson, Edgar, 2 Step Grandchildren, Mariah and Seth Parkey (Allison) and 5 Step Great Grandchildren, Maddison, Carson, Olivia, Georgia and Benjamin.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Monday, October 19 at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. (Fellowship hall)
"She was a force of nature," he said, noting she was strong-willed and independent.
"She not only wanted to be involved, she wanted to run things," he said.
Margaret Anne Morford moved to Abilene in the early 1950s with her husband Robert, a cattle salesman. She immediately became involved, particularly at St. John's Episcopal School, where she served as president in the 1990s.
"She was a cornerstone for St. John's," said Rebecca McMillon, head of the private school which began in 1952. "There's always that one person in a school or an organization who is so important to the development of it, and Maggy is one of those."
Maggy Morford grew up in Fresno, California., and worked for legendary Hollywood director Howard Hawks in the 1940s. She recalled in an interview in the Reporter-News in 2000 that she met Hawks through her uncle, actor Walter Huston, the father of director John Huston.
"It's a very glamorous business to many people," Morford was quoted as saying. "Really, it's a lot of hard work. There was always an adversarial relationship between Hawks and the studios."
One of the movies on which Morford worked was "To Have and Have Not," the movie which marked the screen debut of Lauren Bacall, as well as her romance with her co-star, Humphrey Bogart, who Morford recalled as a "gentle man, came from a good family and was well educated."
Morford's career in Hollywood ended in 1945, when she married. She and her husband moved to Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Memphis before coming to Abilene in 1961.
In the 1970s, the Morfords founded the Morford Cattle Co., for which Maggy Morford served as vice president. McMillon said she had an excellent business mind.
"She was sharp," she said. "She was a leader in the community."
Morford was also a member of several boards in Abilene, including The Grace Museum and Frontier Texas!, United Way, Sears Methodist Retirement Center and the Community Foundation of Abilene. She and her husband, who died in 1992, established two funds at the foundation, including one for St. John's. She was one of the founding member of Los Aficionados, a support group for The Grace Museum. She was active in her church, the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.
In 2008, Morford was honored her contributions to the arts by The Grace Museum at its annual fall benefit.
However, Jeff Salmon, the director of Frontier Texas!, said that he believed her biggest passion was for St. John's. McMillon said she thought the school fit into what Morford believed education should be.
"I would like to think that we were the benefactors of her love of education," she said. "St. John's fit that mold. Mediocrity was definitely not part of her personality. You always shrived to be the best. She has played a vital role for us and we are going to miss her terribly."
Maggy lived life to the fullest! She traveled extensively and eloquently shared stories of her travels. She was an avid reader and instilled the love of reading in her sons. Maggy had an active social life and was always ready to attend a party, social event, church event or host one. If it was happening-Maggy was there! Her sons often joked that she led a more active social life than they did. She was a very talented artist, and her paintings are treasured by her family. Maggy enjoyed living at Wesley Court, rekindling old friendships and making new ones. An independent woman, she would load her walker on to her Golf Cart and head to the dining room. We asked her not to speed but she made no promises. Always looking for a new challenge-at 94 she took up Bridge and was taking lessons. Her life is truly an inspiration to her family and it was always fun to find out what she was up to next.
Maggy lived a life of service and leadership to the Abilene Community that she loved dearly. Maggy was described as the consummate volunteer and philanthropist. She was an active, hands-on, get the job done person who sought neither recognition or praise. She did so with grace, caring, empathy and willingness to help those in need.
St John's Episcopal School had a special place in Maggy's heart. She generously gave in spirit, wisdom, and resources. The endowment she established through the Community Foundation has enabled hundreds of students to receive and excellent education.
Some of the nonprofit boards Maggy has served on include: St. John's Episcopal School, Just People Inc, Grace Museum, Sears Methodist Retirement Center, City Parks Advisory, Library Advisory and the Community Foundations of Abilene. She was a founding member of Los Aficionados, a support group for the Grace Museum. In 2008, the Grace Museum honored Maggy at their Fall Benefit fundraiser. She was honored by AAUW for Women of Outstanding Achievement, Power and Courage on August 13, 2015.
She was preceded in death by husband,Robert(Bob)Morford;her son, Robert Morford; Daughter-in-law, Suzanne Morford; and grandson, Travis Morford. Survivors include children, Mike Morford (Penny); Pete Morford (Danni); and David Morford. Grandchildren, Eric; Caleb (Ashley); B.J. and 1 Great Grandson, Edgar, 2 Step Grandchildren, Mariah and Seth Parkey (Allison) and 5 Step Great Grandchildren, Maddison, Carson, Olivia, Georgia and Benjamin.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Monday, October 19 at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. (Fellowship hall)
ABILENE, Texas - While some recalled Maggy Morford for her contributions to education and the arts community in Abilene, her son David had a little different description of his mother, who died Sunday at age 94.
"She was a force of nature," he said, noting she was strong-willed and independent.
"She not only wanted to be involved, she wanted to run things," he said.
Margaret Anne Morford moved to Abilene in the early 1950s with her husband Robert, a cattle salesman. She immediately became involved, particularly at St. John's Episcopal School, where she served as president in the 1990s.
"She was a cornerstone for St. John's," said Rebecca McMillon, head of the private school which began in 1952. "There's always that one person in a school or an organization who is so important to the development of it, and Maggy is one of those."
Maggy Morford grew up in Fresno, California., and worked for legendary Hollywood director Howard Hawks in the 1940s. She recalled in an interview in the Reporter-News in 2000 that she met Hawks through her uncle, actor Walter Huston, the father of director John Huston.
"It's a very glamorous business to many people," Morford was quoted as saying. "Really, it's a lot of hard work. There was always an adversarial relationship between Hawks and the studios."
One of the movies on which Morford worked was "To Have and Have Not," the movie which marked the screen debut of Lauren Bacall, as well as her romance with her co-star, Humphrey Bogart, who Morford recalled as a "gentle man, came from a good family and was well educated."
Morford's career in Hollywood ended in 1945, when she married. She and her husband moved to Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Memphis before coming to Abilene in 1961.
In the 1970s, the Morfords founded the Morford Cattle Co., for which Maggy Morford served as vice president. McMillon said she had an excellent business mind.
"She was sharp," she said. "She was a leader in the community."
Morford was also a member of several boards in Abilene, including The Grace Museum and Frontier Texas!, United Way, Sears Methodist Retirement Center and the Community Foundation of Abilene. She and her husband, who died in 1992, established two funds at the foundation, including one for St. John's. She was one of the founding member of Los Aficionados, a support group for The Grace Museum. She was active in her church, the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.
In 2008, Morford was honored her contributions to the arts by The Grace Museum at its annual fall benefit.
However, Jeff Salmon, the director of Frontier Texas!, said that he believed her biggest passion was for St. John's. McMillon said she thought the school fit into what Morford believed education should be.
"I would like to think that we were the benefactors of her love of education," she said. "St. John's fit that mold. Mediocrity was definitely not part of her personality. You always shrived to be the best. She has played a vital role for us and we are going to miss her terribly."
Maggy lived life to the fullest! She traveled extensively and eloquently shared stories of her travels. She was an avid reader and instilled the love of reading in her sons. Maggy had an active social life and was always ready to attend a party, social event, church event or host one. If it was happening-Maggy was there! Her sons often joked that she led a more active social life than they did. She was a very talented artist, and her paintings are treasured by her family. Maggy enjoyed living at Wesley Court, rekindling old friendships and making new ones. An independent woman, she would load her walker on to her Golf Cart and head to the dining room. We asked her not to speed but she made no promises. Always looking for a new challenge-at 94 she took up Bridge and was taking lessons. Her life is truly an inspiration to her family and it was always fun to find out what she was up to next.
Maggy lived a life of service and leadership to the Abilene Community that she loved dearly. Maggy was described as the consummate volunteer and philanthropist. She was an active, hands-on, get the job done person who sought neither recognition or praise. She did so with grace, caring, empathy and willingness to help those in need.
St John's Episcopal School had a special place in Maggy's heart. She generously gave in spirit, wisdom, and resources. The endowment she established through the Community Foundation has enabled hundreds of students to receive and excellent education.
Some of the nonprofit boards Maggy has served on include: St. John's Episcopal School, Just People Inc, Grace Museum, Sears Methodist Retirement Center, City Parks Advisory, Library Advisory and the Community Foundations of Abilene. She was a founding member of Los Aficionados, a support group for the Grace Museum. In 2008, the Grace Museum honored Maggy at their Fall Benefit fundraiser. She was honored by AAUW for Women of Outstanding Achievement, Power and Courage on August 13, 2015.
She was preceded in death by husband,Robert(Bob)Morford;her son, Robert Morford; Daughter-in-law, Suzanne Morford; and grandson, Travis Morford. Survivors include children, Mike Morford (Penny); Pete Morford (Danni); and David Morford. Grandchildren, Eric; Caleb (Ashley); B.J. and 1 Great Grandson, Edgar, 2 Step Grandchildren, Mariah and Seth Parkey (Allison) and 5 Step Great Grandchildren, Maddison, Carson, Olivia, Georgia and Benjamin.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Monday, October 19 at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. (Fellowship hall)
"She was a force of nature," he said, noting she was strong-willed and independent.
"She not only wanted to be involved, she wanted to run things," he said.
Margaret Anne Morford moved to Abilene in the early 1950s with her husband Robert, a cattle salesman. She immediately became involved, particularly at St. John's Episcopal School, where she served as president in the 1990s.
"She was a cornerstone for St. John's," said Rebecca McMillon, head of the private school which began in 1952. "There's always that one person in a school or an organization who is so important to the development of it, and Maggy is one of those."
Maggy Morford grew up in Fresno, California., and worked for legendary Hollywood director Howard Hawks in the 1940s. She recalled in an interview in the Reporter-News in 2000 that she met Hawks through her uncle, actor Walter Huston, the father of director John Huston.
"It's a very glamorous business to many people," Morford was quoted as saying. "Really, it's a lot of hard work. There was always an adversarial relationship between Hawks and the studios."
One of the movies on which Morford worked was "To Have and Have Not," the movie which marked the screen debut of Lauren Bacall, as well as her romance with her co-star, Humphrey Bogart, who Morford recalled as a "gentle man, came from a good family and was well educated."
Morford's career in Hollywood ended in 1945, when she married. She and her husband moved to Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Memphis before coming to Abilene in 1961.
In the 1970s, the Morfords founded the Morford Cattle Co., for which Maggy Morford served as vice president. McMillon said she had an excellent business mind.
"She was sharp," she said. "She was a leader in the community."
Morford was also a member of several boards in Abilene, including The Grace Museum and Frontier Texas!, United Way, Sears Methodist Retirement Center and the Community Foundation of Abilene. She and her husband, who died in 1992, established two funds at the foundation, including one for St. John's. She was one of the founding member of Los Aficionados, a support group for The Grace Museum. She was active in her church, the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.
In 2008, Morford was honored her contributions to the arts by The Grace Museum at its annual fall benefit.
However, Jeff Salmon, the director of Frontier Texas!, said that he believed her biggest passion was for St. John's. McMillon said she thought the school fit into what Morford believed education should be.
"I would like to think that we were the benefactors of her love of education," she said. "St. John's fit that mold. Mediocrity was definitely not part of her personality. You always shrived to be the best. She has played a vital role for us and we are going to miss her terribly."
Maggy lived life to the fullest! She traveled extensively and eloquently shared stories of her travels. She was an avid reader and instilled the love of reading in her sons. Maggy had an active social life and was always ready to attend a party, social event, church event or host one. If it was happening-Maggy was there! Her sons often joked that she led a more active social life than they did. She was a very talented artist, and her paintings are treasured by her family. Maggy enjoyed living at Wesley Court, rekindling old friendships and making new ones. An independent woman, she would load her walker on to her Golf Cart and head to the dining room. We asked her not to speed but she made no promises. Always looking for a new challenge-at 94 she took up Bridge and was taking lessons. Her life is truly an inspiration to her family and it was always fun to find out what she was up to next.
Maggy lived a life of service and leadership to the Abilene Community that she loved dearly. Maggy was described as the consummate volunteer and philanthropist. She was an active, hands-on, get the job done person who sought neither recognition or praise. She did so with grace, caring, empathy and willingness to help those in need.
St John's Episcopal School had a special place in Maggy's heart. She generously gave in spirit, wisdom, and resources. The endowment she established through the Community Foundation has enabled hundreds of students to receive and excellent education.
Some of the nonprofit boards Maggy has served on include: St. John's Episcopal School, Just People Inc, Grace Museum, Sears Methodist Retirement Center, City Parks Advisory, Library Advisory and the Community Foundations of Abilene. She was a founding member of Los Aficionados, a support group for the Grace Museum. In 2008, the Grace Museum honored Maggy at their Fall Benefit fundraiser. She was honored by AAUW for Women of Outstanding Achievement, Power and Courage on August 13, 2015.
She was preceded in death by husband,Robert(Bob)Morford;her son, Robert Morford; Daughter-in-law, Suzanne Morford; and grandson, Travis Morford. Survivors include children, Mike Morford (Penny); Pete Morford (Danni); and David Morford. Grandchildren, Eric; Caleb (Ashley); B.J. and 1 Great Grandson, Edgar, 2 Step Grandchildren, Mariah and Seth Parkey (Allison) and 5 Step Great Grandchildren, Maddison, Carson, Olivia, Georgia and Benjamin.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Monday, October 19 at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. (Fellowship hall)
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