Margaret Gaunt Earthman

MARGARET GAUNT EARTHMAN, 71, died October 25, 2005 in Galveston, Texas. She was born in Houston but spent her early childhood in Beaufort, S.C. Her father Richard Hay Gaunt was a member of one of South Carolina's oldest and most distinguished families. Thus Margaret grew up appreciating the Episcopal tradition of her father and the Catholic faith of her mother. Preceded in death by her parents Richard and Mary Bond Gaunt and children Michael and Ann. Margaret graduated from St. Agnes Academy and attended the University of Houston and later Galveston College where she studied art. Member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She was an antique dealer and artist. Member of UTMB's President's Cabinet; East End Historical District Assn.; Advisory Board Member of the Grand 1894 Opera House; Advisory Board Member Ronald McDonald House; National Trust Council of Washington D.C.; Galveston Historic Foundation's Menard Society; Advisory Board Member American Cancer Society; Director, Friends of the Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas.; Lady Washington Chapter Texas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Oran M. Roberts Chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy; the Lafitte Society; Friends of the Rosenberg Library; Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and Third Order of St. Dominic. Her love of historic preservation, the arts and antiques led her to found the Eiband's Antique Gallery on Postoffice Street. Over the years Margaret gladly opened her home to many charitable events. Margaret was the American Cancer Society's 2002 Honoree. May 23, 2002 was proclaimed "Margaret Earthman Day" in her honor by the City of Galveston for her generosity to the community. She and her husband Jim received numerous awards for their efforts at preservation of Galveston including Downtown Revitalization Committee, 1995 George P. Mitchell Award; Galveston Historical Foundation, 1996 Phoenix Award; Galveston Center for Transportation & Commerce, 2000 Golden Lantern Award; Historical Downtown Strand Partnership, 2001 Downtown Renaissance Hall of Fame Award; The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2004 Galveston Community Enrichment Award. Her survivors include her husband James B. Earthman III and their children James B Earthman IV; William J. Earthman and wife Camille; John B. Earthman and wife Jeniffer; Sissy Lappin and husband Mark; Elizabeth M. Hall and husband John; Katie Cullen and husband Harry; and Addie M. Pappous and husband Norman. Grandchildren, Garrett Earthman, Kyle Earthman, Liam Earthman, Katherine Earthman, Mary Margaret Earthman, Leah Lappin, Nick Lappin, William Phillips, Jessica Fluker, Harrison Cullen, Hugh Roy Cullen II, Katie Rose Cullen, John David Marion, and Jim Marion. Great-grandchild, Riley Fluker. Also her sister, Marion Gaunt Reif and husband Cyril, and numerous cousins including Marsha Gaunt Berryman and husband John. The family would be honored to receive friends from eleven o'clock in the morning until two o'clock in the afternoon, Thursday, the 27th day of October in the Tanglewood Chapel of J. B. Earthman, 5740 San Felipe @ Bering; and later that evening from six o'clock until eight o'clock at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1302 Broadway in Galveston. At seven o'clock a Vigil Service will be held which includes recitation of the Rosary, followed by remarks from family members, also Rabbi Jimmy Kessler and the Rev. Ron Pogue, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. Mass of the Resurrection will be held Friday at ten o'clock in the morning, the 28th day of October at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Frank Fabj as Celebrant. Rite of Committal will take place at four o'clock that afternoon at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. Pallbearers are Bill Foley, Fred Burns, Armin Cantini, Gene Hornstein, Jim Ware, Doug McLeod, Col. Art Wilcox, Dr. Aristides Koutrouvelis, and David P. Salyer. Honorary Pallbearers: Dr. Bill Levin Dr. Jack Jinkins, Dr. Elmer Vogelpohl, Ellis Rudy, and Paul Hewitt. The family would like to thank the entire UTMB staff and administration for their loving care, especially Dr. Lyuba Levine. During her lifetime Margaret worked on many charitable events. With her good friend Fredell Rosen, her last effort was to raise funds for a fellowship program at UTMB. Friends wishing may make a contribution to: The Margaret Earthman Endowment for the Breast Imaging Fellowship Program University of Texas Medical Branch 301 University Blvd. Galveston, Texas 77555-0148 Or to a Charity of your choice.