Margaret (Peg) Katherine Brown Dudar

Margaret (Peg) Katherine Brown Dudar died peacefully on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2017. She was born on October 16, 1923 in Ann Arbor, Michigan and was 93 years old. Peg was above all a leader. A woman whose life’s work was to care for the poor and who used her education, intellect, tenacity, and humor to make a major contribution to social justice causes in Houston and Harris County for nearly 50 years. Her work ranged from support and care of foster children at DePelchin Faith Home in the 1970s to the founding of the Homeless Coalition of Houston serving as its board chair for nearly 20 years to the establishment, leadership and long time stewardship of the West Houston Assistance Ministry, an interfaith ministry whose important work continues into its 35^th year. To say Peg made a difference to her community and to many thousands of people is an understatement. She was also a teacher whose work as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston School of Social Work guided many young people and showed them that caring, organization, leadership, common sense and impact go hand in hand. Peg was honored for her outstanding contributions in many ways most notably with the Jefferson Award in 1983 and with Papal Medals in 1985 and 1997, which were particularly meaningful to her given her devotion as a Catholic who truly lived her faith in word and deed.

Peg was also a caring wife to husband John Dudar, her husband of 54 years who predeceased her in 2010 and a mother to four daughters in whom she took great pride and whom she challenged to be the best they could be. She expected much from herself and others and her life lessons and pearls of wisdom, often cloaked in humor, live on through her children and those she loved.

Peg graduated from Marygrove College in Detroit Michigan in 1946 with a BA in Social Work and also earned a Masters Degree from the University of Michigan.

She is survived by her sister Anne Brown Courtois, brothers-in-law Donald Courtois and James Brady, and predeceased by her sister Mary Brown Brady. She is survived by four daughters, Margaret Spellings of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Mary Dudar of Austin, Texas, Nanette Lawson and husband John Lawson, and M. Ellen Dudar of Alexandria, Virginia. Additional survivors include five grandchildren, Mary La Montagne Watkins, Margaret Grace La Montagne, Brian Benedict, Jackson Lawson and Thaddeus Lawson. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and other extended family as well as many dear friends especially her long time caregiver and companion, Linda Lowe whose generosity and love brought much joy.

The funeral service will be held at St. Edith Stein Catholic Church located at 3311 N. Fry Road in Katy, Texas at 11:00 am on Friday, May 19, 2017, with viewing beginning at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers or remembrances, the family requests that donations be made in her honor to West Houston Assistance Ministry, 10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston, Texas 77042 or to St. Edith Stein Catholic Church, 3311 N. Fry Road, Katy, Texas 77449.