Margaret Whisenant Saunders Block

Maggie) was born February 16, 1918 in San Antonio. She passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2012. She was pre-deceased by her parents Celestine Zilker and Dr. John Ross Whisenant and her beloved step-father, Vachel Lackey. Maggie attended Saint Mary's Hall, Principia High School and College and received her degree at the University of Texas at Austin where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She was a duchess in the Order of the Alamo's coronation in 1939 and shortly thereafter married Donald Ward Saunders, USAF. After Gen. Saunders was killed in an airplane accident in 1958, Maggie and her three children moved back to San Antonio. Maggie became active in community affairs. She was president of the following: Symphony League, Arts Council, Our Reading Club, Laurel Heights-Terrell Hills Garden Club, Pi Phi Alumna Society, McNay Art Museum (Lifetime Board Member). She was particularly proud of being a founder and lifetime Board Member of the Southwest School of Art (formerly Southwest Craft Center) and Club Giraud. In addition, Maggie was a member of the S.A. Festival, the Conservation Society, Art League, Battle of Flowers Association, Fenwick and Timely Topics Club, Junior League, The Assembly, San Antonio Country Club and The Argyle. In 1983, Maggie was awarded the Junior League's "Volunteer Extraordinaire" award and the Saint Mary's Hall "Distinguished Alumna" award in 1994. Maggie was preceded in death by her aunts and uncles: Punnie and Gib Denman and Boleyn and Edward Byrd, and her cousin Gilbert Denman, Jr. Her husband, Dr. William Block Jr., died in 2007. Maggie is survived by her children, daughters Page Saunders and Margaret McGovern and husband Ken, and son Donald Saunders, Jr., and grandchildren Briana Saunders Franke and husband Larry, and Maggie McGovern and Daniel McGovern, and great-grandchildren Abigail, Madeleine and Gabrielle Franke. She is also survived by the children of William Block, Pattie Block Smith and husband David, Kathy Collins, Sherrie Block, Martha Block, William Block III and Michael Block and wife Anna Laura. The family wishes to extend their gratitude and appreciation to caregivers: Beverly Brown, Paula Ramos and Lupe Padilla for their loving care of Maggie throughout.