Margaret Tobin

Margaret "Peggy" Payne Portwood Tobin, 93, died July 20, 2016, at her ranch in Bandera after a brief illness. Peggy was born in Atchison, Kansas on October 29, 1922, and moved to San Antonio on her 7th birthday, the date of the Great Stock Market Crash. Her father, Thomas B. Portwood, having recently received his Ph.D. from Columbia, was hired by the San Antonio Independent School District, and rose to become its Superintendent during the 1940's through early 1960's. Both of Peggy's parents were authors of history text books used throughout the nation. Peggy graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio and attended Texas Women's University before transferring to The University of Texas to study journalism. Shortly before World War II broke out, she met a dashing San Antonio oil man, rancher and lawyer, Don Freeman Tobin, and they married on February 1, 1942. Peggy and Don were deeply devoted and in love with each other throughout their over 69 years of marriage. No doubt Don is greeting her with a loving embrace in Heaven. They were blessed with 8 children, who became the center of their attention and love. Peggy was in constant motion caring for her children, as PTA President, Cub Scout den leader, car pool driver, substitute school teacher; and she supported her children in a myriad of activities from school, to sports, to art, to Children of the American Revolution, to church, and events of every kind in which her 8 children were involved. The San Antonio Express-News recognized her as Homemaker of the Year. While being the greatest Mom for her children, Peggy pursued her other passions in art, historic preservation, writing, bird watching, quilting and literature. The breadth of her knowledge and interests had a profound and positive influence on her children and the many others who were blessed to know her. She painted watercolors and made drawings of the McNay Art Institute, Mission San Jose, and Texas Hill Country homes and landscapes. Serving for years in the San Antonio Conservation Society, including as President, Peggy was a key leader in preserving someof San Antonio's most admired historic and architectural landmarks. In the 1960's she led the successful effort to save from demolition the old Ursuline Academy, now the home of the San Antonio School of Art. Peggy, with others, lead the way in preserving Casa Navarro, Casa Villita, the Steves Homestead, and numerous historic homes in what is now Hemisfair. In Bandera County she helped establish the Bandera County Historical Commission and achieved state historical status for the old Jureczki house and Polly's Chapel, both beautiful examples of Texas limestone and masonry work. For all of this and more, in 2008 she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by the Texas State Historical Commission and later a similar award from the Bandera County Historical Commission as well as other accolades from the San Antonio Conservation Society. For years she wrote a weekly column in local newspapers filled with history, every day stories of life in the Hill Country and wit. She was a founding member of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Bandera.She loved her frequent visits to the old Tobin homestead farm in Ireland; and from the 1940's until her passing Peggy's favorite place was her cherished ranch. She was always thankful for the beauty, the wildlife and the peacefulness of the Texas Hill Country. Peggy Tobin is survived by her children, Don F. Tobin, Jr., Timothy S. Tobin, Martha Tobin Bersch, Phillip P. Tobin, Mark T. Tobin, Patrick B. Tobin, Kathleen Tobin Krueger, Ann Tobin Hevenor, 19 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Bandera. Officiating will be the Rev. Allan Conkling, Jr. A burial service and reception open to all visitors will be held immediately afterwards at The Tobin Ranch. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in memory of Peggy Tobin to St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 395 Highway 173 North, Bandera, Texas 78003 or to the San Antonio Conservation Society, 107 King William Street, San Antonio, Texas 78204.