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Alma Magdalene Phillips Pack Fischer (Maggie) On Sunday, January 12, 2020, Alma Magdalene Phillips Pack Fischer (Maggie) of San Antonio passed away after a brief illness at age 89. She died peacefully at home with children present just like she wanted. She was, indeed, the Captain of her ship. Maggie was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 20, 1930. Her parents soon afterward moved to San Antonio, Texas, where Maggie lived all her life. She wed Samuel Lloyd Pack in June of 1946. They proceeded to rear six children over the next twenty-seven years. Their marriage ended in August of 1973, and two years later she married Lawrence Fischer. Maggie’s life revolved around her children and her extended family. She enjoyed big family gatherings at Christmas and Easter with the family. Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day holidays were spent camping at Inks Lake State Park in early years. Later, those days were celebrated at her brother Bob’s house on Lake LBJ. She always enjoyed the company of her children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews at these festive outings. Maggie worked for twenty years in the East Central School District. For the first twelve years, she worked at Harmony Elementary School as the school secretary. The balance of her career was performed at Salado Middle School in the same position. As anyone who has worked in public schools is aware, any title encompasses many different tasks. She fulfilled her various responsibilities as they were doled out like all of her cohorts in order to maintain a semblance of order in a sea of six to twelve year olds and certainly during volatile adolescent years. She loved her job, her co-workers, and the children she ministered to. Maggie enjoyed painting and working her daily crosswords. She loved playing Scrabble with all who were inclined to suffer defeat. She would sit at her dining room table relishing the view she had from her back deck to check on her hummingbirds, of which she was particularly fond. It was difficult to find a time when she did not have that same table covered with a tortuous puzzle that she would meticulously whittle down to completion. All visitors were encouraged to take a turn at applying their tessellation skills to the project. She had a faithful circle of friends who religiously played low stakes poker games. This group frequently took poker trips by bus to various casinos where they enjoyed the tables and slot machines. She always jokingly promised she was going to win a big jackpot, but reality always tempered that idea. Maggie was preceded in death by her mother Alma Olive Phillips, her father Earnest Clifford Phillips, and brothers Bobby Dale Phillips and Paul Emanuel Phillips. Maggie is survived by sons Gary Stephen Pack (Sue Cohen), Samuel Paul Pack (Annie), William David Pack (Shirley), Mark Lloyd Pack (Cesar Arreaza), Brian Scott Pack (Suzanne), and daughter Karen Kay Pack Rufer (Bryan). She is also survived by grandchildren Stephanie Ramirez (John), Amber Gailey (Kurt), Wade Pack (Melissa), Clifford Pack, Kathryn Pack, and Kate Skiff (Joey). Maggie also leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren. A celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at 11:00 AM at Voigt Center located at 701 El Portal in San Antonio. Bring a favorite memory of Maggie to share. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

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Alma M. Fischer

July 20, 1930 - January 12, 2020