Margaret Ann Williams Cardwell – PHOTO
Margaret Ann Williams Cardwell, a resident of Austin, Texas, and former long time resident of Lockhart, Texas, died on September 23, 2004. She was for many years a summer resident of Angel Fire, NM, and died in an air crash returning to Austin. Her son, James Cardwell, a passenger, was seriously injured in the accident but is expected to have a full recovery, according to th
e family.
Born in College Station, Texas, July 27, 1922, Mrs. Cardwell was the eldest daughter of David Willard Williams and Madge Rees Williams. After graduating from A & M Consolidated High School, she entered Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans at the age of 16. There she majored in English literature, which was a lifelong interest. She was also, among other honors, president of the student body.
Upon graduation in 1942, and before her marriage, Mrs. Cardwell held a wartime civil service position under the auspices of the United States Air Force. Her responsibilities were directed toward the design of a job rating system for Air Force personnel.
Following VE Day in 1945, she married Walter Wilcox Cardwell, Jr., a former Corps Commander at Texas A & M, and at the time, a returning officer of the Third Army in Europe. They lived briefly in Houston, where Mr. Cardwell established a department of agriculture at the University of Houston.
Mrs. Cardwell then moved with her family to Lockhart, Texas, where she brought up her children, taught high school English, headed the English Department of Lockhart High School, and was an ever willing and active participant in many community projects. In Lockhart, the Cardwells operated a ranch and were among the earliest pioneers in the development of the Santa Gertrudis breed.
Mrs. Cardwell’s interests were remarkably broad in scope. They included sports of all kinds, the ballet, art, travel, gourmet cooking, the decorative arts, and, above all, literature. She was much appreciated for her generosity in friendship, and her lifelong love of reading made her a gifted and engaging conversationalist.
She is survived by her sister Ruth Williams Lawrence and husband Bruce; her brother David W. Williams M.D. and wife Shirley; her children, Walter Wilcox Cardwell III and wife Sally; David Williams Cardwell, M.D. and wife Hallie; John Anthony Cardwell; James McCurdy Cardwell and wife Marsha; Caroline Cardwell Puett and husband Nelson; eleven grandchildren, Jack Conger Cardwell, Andrew Hemenway Cardwell, David Willard Williams Cardwell, Walter Wilcox Cardwell IV, Sally Anderson Cardwell, Margaret Deane Cardwell, Lee Madison Cardwell, Margaret Ann Cardwell, James McCurdy Cardwell, Jr., Caroline Chenault Puett and Elizabeth Barrow Puett. Her nieces and nephews also brought much joy to Mrs. Cardwell Following a private graveside service; there will be a memorial service on Monday, September 27, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church at 200 E. 8th Street in Austin. Arrangements by Weed-Corley Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX
