Margaret Parker Slack, 89, volunteer

Margaret Parker Slack, 89, a 13-year resident of Rydal Park retirement community and an active volunteer, died Sunday, Aug. 10, of causes related to aging at the facility's Joseph C. Scott Medical Center.

Born Margaret Beitel in Philadelphia, Mrs. Slack grew up in Germantown and Chestnut Hill.

She graduated from the Temple School of Nursing in 1947. Later that year, she married Frederick W. Slack, Jr., at Our Mother of Consolation Catholic Church in Chestnut Hill. The two met when Slack, suffering from malaria he contracted abroad, was hospitalized at Temple.

"When he awoke from being unconscious, my mother was standing over him, and she was so beautiful, he thought he had gone to heaven," said her son, Frederick W. III.

Mr. Slack served in the Navy in both World War II and the Korean War before retiring with the rank of captain. He died in 1985. During the Korean War, Mrs. Slack and her two children lived in Japan for two years.

"Mother made the trek with two small children - from plane to plane to plane. It was pretty unusual for that time," her son said.

After the war, the family settled at Springdale Farm, a 150-acre dairy farm in Southampton, Bucks County. Although it was a big change for "a city girl," his mother never regretted raising the children there, her son said.

In 1978, the family moved to Jenkintown, and Mrs. Slack became an inveterate volunteer. She served on the Abington Hospital Women's Board for 30 years, and was chairman of the hospital's Gala Soiree in 1970 and its June Fete in 1975. Both raise funds for the medical facility.

From 1970 to 1975, Mrs. Slack served on the volunteer staff of the Red Cross. She was a member of the board of the International House, chairing the organization's fund-raising gala in 1992.

Mrs. Slack was a former member and president of the Random Garden Club of Chestnut Hill. She had many entries and two blue ribbon winners in the Philadelphia Flower Show.

She enjoyed flower-arranging, needlepoint, and reading. She started a book club at Rydal Park and chaired it for six years.

In addition to her son, she is survived by a daughter, Jacqueline Peacock; three grandchildren; three sisters, and a brother.

A visitation from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, will be followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Immaculate Conception BVM Church, 602 West Ave., Jenkintown. Interment is private.

Contributions may be made to Abington Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, 1200 Old York Rd., Abington, Pa. 19001, or to Joseph C. Scott Medical Center at Rydal Park, 1515 The Fairway, Jenkintown, Pa. 19046.

610-313-8102