Margaret Hicks Baker
Submitted by Wimberley1 on
Margaret Hicks Baker was born Dec. 14, 1937 and passed away on May 24, 2014 at the age of 76 at her home in Hilltop Lakes. Margaret grew up in Houston with parents Milton and Helen Hicks and sister, Marilyn.
As a young girl, Margaret loved her Girl Scout outings and church groups as well as ice skating, high school drill team and playing piano and guitar. She graduated valedictorian from San Jacinto High School in 1955 then pursued her love of chemistry at the University of Houston, graduating with a Bachelor of Science, cum laude. Margaret later married and began a career with the Dow Chemical Company in Freeport as one of their first female chemists.
She ultimately became Dow’s environmental services manager before retiring after 20 plus years.
After “retiring,” Margaret embarked on a new career attending Texas A&M specializing in horticulture design and earning her Master Naturalist designation. She then opened and ran Texian Country, a landscape and nursery business in Madisonville, for 17 years.
In 2006, Margaret and her husband moved to Wimberley, undoubtedly her favorite place she lived. Here, Margaret volunteered tirelessly through organizations such as Keep Wimberley Beautiful and as a member of the Texas Stream Team.
She loved giving tours and educating young people about the environment at Jacob’s Well Natural Area, a place where she developed a special fondness and utilized her extensive knowledge of native plants and wildflower restoration. Margaret was also an active member of the Wimberley Civic Club and volunteered happily at WAG dog rescue, always having a soft spot for the homeless animals.
In 2012, Margaret moved to Hilltop Lakes where she joined the Lion’s Club, started their first Mahjong group and volunteered on the Equestrian Club Board while taking care of her family’s two horses and passionately following the Texas Rangers baseball team.
Margaret is survived by her son Wayne Siemens of League City and his wife Becky; also by her daughter, Shannon Follis of Humble and her husband Tim.
She is also survived by her four grandchildren, of whom she was incredibly proud and who lovingly called her “Noni.”
They are Weston and Colton Siemens and Cassidy and Zachary Follis. Margaret is also survived by her sister Marilyn Pawelek of Fulshear and her husband Michael. She is also survived by long time special friend Rich Siemens of Houston.
Margaret leaves behind many wonderful friends with whom she so freely shared her love of plants and nature and her fun sense of humor. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Margaret is preceded in death by her parents Milton and Helen Hicks, and her husband Richard Baker.
A memorial will be held in Margaret’s honor at Jacob’s Well Natural Area in Wimberley in mid-June.
In lieu of flowers, Margaret’s family requests that donations be made to the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, WAG (Wimberley Adoption Group & Rescue) or the ASPCA, all organizations dear to Margaret’s heart.
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