Mary Frances Panther 1911 - 2000

PANTHER, GALLAGHER, WEINGART

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 11/23/2014 at 18:12:31

Mrs. Panther worked 25 years for the telephone company until moving to Houston, where she worked with her husband, a restaurateur, until his retirement. She then began a career as a librarian at the University of Houston.

An accomplished musician, she sang in St. John the Baptist Catholic choir and was active in their drama club. She was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Houston.

The Weingart family was original owners of the land occupying Crapo Park. There were vineyards then and her father was born in the stone house in the park. The Weingarts and Panthers were longtime residents at 2817 South Main Street, which is now the parsonage of First Baptist Church. Her father was a founding member of Cascade Boating Association where her brother, Socky, was a dedicated member, as her nephew, George, continues to be.

MARY FRANCES WEINGART PANTHER, formerly of Burlington, Iowa and Houston, Texas died on December 28, 2000 in Stamford, Ct. of natural causes. She was born January 7, 1911 to Rudolph and Katie Gallagher Weingart, one of the founders of Burlington, Iowa. She and her husband, of 51 years, Wm. J. Panther owned restaurants in Houston. He predeceased her in 1986, as did her brother, George R. Weingart. She leaves behind two daughters, Kay (Kate) Panther Wehrle Holzle of Stamford, Ct. and Jean Ann Panther of Sydney, Australia. Another daughter, Rosemary Panther Dendy, died July 4, 1996 in Houston. There is a nephew, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was a long time active member of Annunciation Catholic Church, where a memorial service will be held at a later date.