Margaret Alleman Kenrick's Obituary
Margaret Alleman Kenrick was born in Libertyville, Illinois on December 13, 1908. She came to Tacoma in 1912 with her parents, Fred and Mary Alleman, two older brothers, William and Kenneth, and a younger sister, Melba. She is survived by sister-in-law, Maude Alleman, great niece Beth Palmer, and great nephew Bruce Palmer and his wife Carolyn.Margaret attended Whitman Grade School and Lincoln High School before graduating from the College of Puget Sound in 1931. It was at CPS that she met and fell in love with Edwin F. Kenrick. They were married in 1936 in the First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, where Margaret had been a member since 1921.Both Margaret and Ed, who preceded her in death, were well known and respected in College circles in the late 1920Â's and early 1930Â's. Both were outstanding athletes. Margaret was No. 1 WomenÂ's Tennis Champion at CPS for four years, and she and Ed were at one time the Tacoma Mixed DoublesÂ' Tennis Champions.When Margaret graduated in 1931 there were few positions open for women P.E. teachers, so she worked as Assistant Manager of the Main Masonic Temple in Tacoma until late 1942 when she joined the Pierce County School office staff as Secretary to the Superintendent. She served in a number of various capacities in this county office for nearly 30 years, retiring in 1972 as Deputy Superintendent of the newly formed Intermediate School District No. 111. Margaret loved to travel and enjoyed spending several weeks with her sister Melba and brother-in-law Jack Kimball, as they traveled in many European countries and in the Orient.She had been very active since 1922 in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, having served as Worthy Advisor of Tacoma Assembly No. 2 in 1927, and as Grand Worthy Advisor of the Grand Assembly of Washington in 1927-28. She was the first Rainbow Girl in Washington to receive the Grand Cross of Color, RainbowÂ's highest award for outstanding service.She served in various adult capacities in Washington, Idaho, and Alaska from 1928 through 1984 when she was elected Â"Supreme Faith,Â" the office which ultimately led to her election to the highest office in this International Order, the Â"Supreme Worthy Advisor.Â" She served in this high office in 1994-96 and made official visits to Grand Assemblies in 46 states, and in 6 foreign countries.During these many years of service, she was a real inspiration to literally thousands of Rainbow Girls and their families. Her sparkling eyes and beautiful smile, her wise, loving and caring ways, and her recognized outstanding ability as a speaker and leader endeared her to Rainbow people around the world.She was a Past Worthy Matron of Tacoma Chapter No. 126, Charter Member of Faith Chapter No. 255, and Past Grand Ruth of the Grand Chapter of Washington, O.E.S., and a member of Zora Temple, Daughters of the Nile. She received numerous awards for Â"outstanding serviceÂ" from the Grand Chapter of Washington, O.E.S., the Grand Lodge of Washington, F & AM, and the International Order of DeMolay.In her lifetime she had been an active member of the Business and Professional WomenÂ's Club, UPS WomenÂ's League, Administrative Women in Education, Wash. State School Administrative Association, Washington Education Association, National Education Association, and Retired Teachers of Pierce County. She was an Honorary Life Member of PTA, Sigma Tau Alpha, Ever Active Club and the International Order of DeMolay.In 1985 she was selected as Â"Woman of the YearÂ" by the Puget Sound Council of Â"Business and Professional Women,Â" and she was one of four winners of Â"Ever Active AwardsÂ" in 1994 for outstanding service to their community.Gone, but not forgotten! Her sudden passing has saddened the hearts of her many friends, especially thousands of former Rainbow Girls who had known and loved her for many years, and to whom they always referred affectionately as Â"Our Mrs. MAK.Â"Interment services will be private. A memorial service will be held in the First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, 20 Tacoma Ave. S., on Saturday, August 21, 2004, at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in her memory to your favorite charity.
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