Margaret Mae Herz's Obituary
Margaret M (McDonald) Herz
Tampa, FL February 20, 1929 to January 28, 2022, 92 years
Margaret was born on February 20, 1929, to Daniel I. McDonald and Margaret C. (Engel) McDonald in Shelby, Montana. Margaret attended high school in Lovington, NM, and participated in drama, band, rodeo & barrel racing, and served as the class treasurer her senior year. She graduated from Lovington High School in 1947.
After high school, Margaret attended Eastern New Mexico University where she earned her degree in education and minored in music. Margaret began her career teaching in Socorro, NM, in a one-room schoolhouse. It was in Socorro that Margaret met her future husband Paul Herz; they later married on July 15, 1954. To this marriage, three children were born: Michelle M., H. Virginia, and Paul S.M. All three children were born in hospitals that were administered by her husband, Paul.
Margaret and Paul lived and worked in several cities in the south, including Dallas, Texas and Cartersville, Georgia. While in Cartersville, Margaret took a job teaching fifth grade English for several years. Around 1977, the family finally settled in Tampa Bay, Florida for the long-term. Margaret worked for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office in the Records Department and stayed there until she retired in 2002. Margaret returned to education to substitute teach while in retirement, well into her 80’s.
Margaret loved her family; that came first and foremost in her life. She is remembered by her family for her comforting presence, wit, passion for education, and compassion for others. She was a devout Christian, and she lived her faith in how she cared for others and often put others’ needs ahead of her own. She loved writing cards and letters and staying connected with people by phone. She loved to provide encouragement and a listening ear. Margaret was a wonderful conversationalist; you could talk to her about anything.
Margaret had many hobbies and interests including football, politics, piano, sewing, knitting, and catalog shopping. She loved crafting unique gifts to give to family members; she was always finding a reason to celebrate milestones in a person’s life. She was an avid reader and read all sorts of books, favoring comedies. She had many pets throughout her life, and is survived by her adored pet Snowflake, an ornery white bunny.
Margaret became severely ill and passed away on January 28, 2022, twenty-three days short of her 93rd birthday. Margaret is survived by her beloved children, Michelle (Ed) Rankin of Knoxville, IA, Virginia (Brian) Grant of Land O Lakes, FL, and Paul (Mhay) Herz of Tampa; her 10 grandchildren, Ann Rankin (Adam Beal) of Knoxville, IA, Catherine (Paul) Schut of Prairie City, IA, Debra (Ryan) McGee of Runnells, IA, Barbra (Dan) Parsons of Des Moines, IA, Elsie Rankin of Des Moines, IA, Caroline Rankin of Kansas City, MO, Nathan (Amelia) Grant of Land O Lakes, FL, Sydney Grant of Land O Lakes, FL, Adam (Indira) Vela of Tampa, FL, Hannah Herz of Tampa, FL, Evan Herz of Tampa, FL, and Jose Isa of Tampa, FL, as well as thirteen cherished great-grandchildren. Margaret Herz is preceded in death by her husband Paul and parents Daniel and Margaret McDonald.
Margaret’s family grieves her absence but are comforted by many cherished memories.
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