Margaret Louise LaPrade's Obituary
Obituary for Margaret Louise (Clough) LaPrade
Born two months premature in Tyler Texas on April 15, 1923, and not expected to live, Margaret Clough defied the odds, and lived to age of 98. At the time of her death, she had lived to be 25 years older than both of her brothers, and 20 years older than either of her parents when they passed.
Margaret graduated from Highland Park High School, and enrolled in SMU where her father taught. Majoring in home economics, she received a BA, and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She met Robert LaPrade, Jr. at SMU, and they married on January 12, 1945 while he was on leave from the Navy. After the war, they spent two years in Boston, while Bob earned his MBA at Harvard.
Returning to Dallas from cold northeastern winters, the couple lived in the University Park area, where they welcomed their two daughters into the world: Jean (in 1949) and Carol (in 1952). In 1954 they built and moved into their Tulip Lane home where they lived for many years. In 1999 they bought a townhouse in Chimney Hill near Abrams, both living there until they passed away. Daughter Jean moved in to care for them in 2000.
Family was all-important to Margaret. She was the consummate homemaker, a wonderful cook, a talented seamstress, and craftswoman who decorated her home for every holiday, and made hand-crafted gifts for family and friends. She loved her pets, and had many dogs over her lifetime, She and husband Bob (who died in 2013) played bridge regularly with several groups of friends, and were lifetime members of the Mr. and Mrs. and 2x2 Sunday School class at Highland Park Methodist.
Margaret worked as a secretary at a Seamstress School, and at SMU before her children were born. After the girls left home, she worked as a clerk typist at Presbyterian Hospital in downtown Dallas for 20 years. She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, was an avid lover of sports, and was active in gardening, knitting and literary groups.
Margaret is survived by her daughters Jean Graham and Carol Ireland, both of Dallas, three grandsons; Spence (Katey) Graham of Humble, Texas, Rob (Robin) Ireland of Holland, Michigan, and Shaun (Jennifer) Ireland of Wylie, Texas, four great grandchildren; Benjamin Graham, James Graham, Corinne Achterhof and Mickey Achterhof, a niece Susan Wyatt and nephews Douglas LaPrade, George Clough and Mike Clough. Margaret and her family would also like to thank her wonderful caretaker Mary Sims for her compassionate care and companionship.
Margaret was preceded in death by her loving husband Bob in September 2013, her parents George and Maggie Clough, her brother Forest and wife Mildred, brother Ancel and wife Adele, and Son in-law Robert Ireland Sr.
Visitation will be held from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Restland Funeral Home. Graveside Service will be held at Restland Funeral Home on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
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