A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Margaret (Schreck) Williamson on August 24, 2018, at St. Steven’s Catholic Church, in Sun Lakes, AZ. Margaret passed away on August 12, 2018. She was born in Minneapolis, MN, and is the youngest of three adopted children. Her family ran the funeral/furniture business in Adrian, MN. She attended Southwest State University in Marshall, MN for two years, and finished her undergraduate degree in Special Education at Mankato State University in Mankato, MN. Her lifetime dream was to open her own school.
Margaret started her teaching career in Council Bluffs, IA in 1974, then moved to Arizona in 1976 and taught Learning Disabled/Emotionally Handicapped children in Mesa, AZ at Keno Junior High, East Valley Institute of Technology, and Dobson High School until 1993. In 1987 Margaret married Gary Williamson. They have lived in Chandler, AZ since then. Staying active with their families in Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Texas, and California has been a big part of their lives.
Margaret received her graduate degree in Education, specializing in Administration and Supervision, from the University of Phoenix in 1991. In 1993 she opened the Academy with Community Partners, which she ran as a private high school until approved as a charter school in 1995. She was recruited to open the first charter school in Reno, NV in 1998. Margaret was so proud of being active in the charter school movement, which she dedicated her career to ensure all students had the opportunity for success in completing their education. Her philosophy was that all students were “at Hope”. She was greatly admired for her personal interest in students, providing encouragement, inspiration, and hope to those who most needed it.
Margaret enjoyed traveling, shopping, reading, fishing, and most of all her pets, and being with friends and family. She will be greatly missed and forever loved.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Gary; her sister, Cathy; nephews, Troy (Carly) and Justun; nieces, Tara (Luis) and Jennifer (Robbie). She is preceded in death by her parents, Al and Teresa Schreck; brother, Mike; niece, Cami; and nephew, Sean.
