Maggie Louise Minchew

Margaret "Maggie" Louise (White) Minchew was born on December 20, 1931 in Trinidad, Texas and passed away peacefully in Bedford, Texas on April 3, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Don Vincent Minchew, her sons, Tracy Allen and Don Vincent Jr, and great-grandson, Shane Minchew. Maggie is survived by daughters Sandy Collins, her husband Jack and Lee Anne Cowling, her husband Denny. She was grandmother to 5 and great-grand mother to 11.

Most of her childhood was spent in Dallas, Texas where her compassion for others became evident at a young age. As an active member of First Baptist of Dallas, she used her sign ability to become one of the interpreters for the hearing impaired for the Sunday services. Later in her life she became guardian ad litem for seniors with dementia to ensure they were safe and not taken advantage of. As a mother who had to bury two sons, Maggie maintained a Compassionate Friends support group through the University of Chicago for family and friends who have lost a loved one.

Despite her father's disapproval of women attending college, Maggie showed her independence by attending UT Austin and while working in the campus bookstore, she met her future husband, Don. After their wedding, they settled in Mesquite, Texas to raise their children, join community service organizations and sing in the First Presbyterian Church choir for over 10 years.

Maggie was a lifelong Democrat who actively supported the American Civil Liberties Union in their attempt to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. Don was equally adamant in his beliefs as a Republican. With this dynamic in their marriage, she learned to pick her battles but could hold her own when it came to defending her core beliefs. Her youngest daughter has a vivid memory of participating in a civil rights march in downtown Austin while Maggie was wearing her crocodile pumps and pillbox hat.

At a time when the norm was for women to stay home in lieu of a career, Maggie worked in Texas Governor John Connally's headquarters in Dallas. Then, when there were few women business owners, Maggie became the co-owner of Charles Blaylock Real Estate in Dallas. She then moved to Dearborn, Michigan, but with the clerical help of her younger sister, Bobbie Harville, was able to fly back to Dallas once a month to continue her contribution to the success of her company.

Maggie was a woman of many talents and interests. Always an active supporter of the arts, she was recognized for her singing and acting by the "Bad Actors Guild" in Hinsdale, Illinois. The Chicago Sun Times published many of her op-eds.

Even after retiring to Florida, she opened a popular bookstore, The Book Rack, and was well respected in her community for her wealth of knowledge regarding literature. She frequently arranged book signings and displayed the work of local artists in her store.

A Celebration of Life fellowship will be held at the home of Sandy Collins at a date yet to be determined.

The family asks that if you want to honor Maggie's memory, that you please make a donation to your favorite charity.