Margaret Duncan

Margaret Aline Duncan born on 11-11-1943, daughter of Alan and Mildred Hoefs of Pecos, Texas, better known as Nana for the last 42 years, slipped peacefully into repose from life on this side of the veil in the wee hours of the morning on August 25th, 2024 as the Psalms were read and prayers were said by those who loved her dearly. The timing was fitting, for she was saying goodbye to this earth with hope of participating with Christ in His resurrection, on a Sunday just before sunrise, after His own pattern. What a glorious coincidence, if you believe in such things.

Nana was endearing to anyone who encountered her. She had a special way of embracing people that left even strangers feeling like she was their very own Nana. She would regale all who would listen with stories of growing up with austere German grandparents in the wilds of Pecos, Texas on the Hoefs Ranch. The eyes of the children would turn to saucers when listening to tales of her having to present her hands to her grandfather before dinner for cleanliness approval, because, let's be honest, do any children really wash their hands before dinner anymore? Then there was her grandmother’s no-no room. She was only allowed in that magical space once a year on Christmas and Nana’s eyes would dance with childlike joy when recounting those memories. It would seem this core memory shaped Nana’s grandparenting because, each year before the leaves even began to fall, she would transform her entire home into a veritable winter wonderland, and now all of her grandchildren will relish their own memories about Nana’s home at Christmas with even more wonderment than Nana did because it will be multiplied by the generations of tradition.

The only thing that would light up Nana’s eyes more than childhood memories was to talk about the love of her life, Vincent Owen Duncan. The love they shared for one another was a fairytale in her eyes. She believed he was the most handsome and best man. They fell in love at a time when marriage wasn’t disposable, and the tenacity to make it through hard times shaped their youthful infatuation into what love really is, and that was to live it out in patience, forgiveness, and steadfastness. 56 years of marriage are a testament to their unyielding commitment to one another and we all have peace knowing they are reunited to continue into eternity by one another’s side.

A recounting of Nana’s life would not be complete without the reminder of how much she loved Jesus and how she loved to sing to Him. She spent countless hours toiling over the many old, Southern hymns she would sing for church. The melodies of praise floating through her home, without doubt, watered the mustard seeds of faith that her own devoutness planted in the hearts of her family. Even with unwavering faith, Nana was understandably lost in many practical ways after Vincent’s passing 8 years ago. She was separated from the flesh of her flesh and was just going through the motions of life. That is until her eldest grandson Jason was given the gift of a service dog from Baden K9 in Canada. The work and discipline of the service K9 program at Baden had been such a benefit to Jason, that Nana wanted to meet in person and thank those who had been so generous to her grandson. Watching Jason working alongside other veterans as they learned to communicate with their dogs and one another, Nana was overcome with inspiration to do everything in her power to share the gift of the service dog work with as many veterans as her influence could reach. So, as she forged life-long friendships with the Baden family (Mike and Emme, Josh and Jessica, and their children), she also forged a path between Canada and Texas that will ever be well traveled because of the purpose she envisioned.

That vision was the birth of T6 of West Texas. T6 is an homage to her family heritage as it was the brand of the original family ranch. The marriage of that brand with the mission of helping veterans, first responders, and people of the like, breathed life and joy into Nana’s existence like nothing had since Vincent’s passing. There is no doubt that renewed purpose gave us all the opportunity of more years with her than we would have had without it. Nana moved across the street from ‘the facility’, as it is lovingly referred to by family, so that she could watch lives change for the better, before her eyes. She beamed with unboastful pride when she would sit on her wrap-around porch in her Cracker Barrel rocking chairs and watch the flags waving over the facility in the West Texas wind, knowing what was taking place underneath that rooftop.

If one word could summarize how Nana lived, it would be gratitude. She poured her heart, soul, and resources into the community of those whom she felt were heroes out of that sentiment. She was ever grateful to the Lord for the provision of the resources she had to be generous in such a way. And it cannot be left unsaid that she had the utmost gratitude to the army of medical personnel that kept her on this side of eternity, because it was nearly miraculous how many times she was brought back from the brink of death by the brilliance of modern medicine and those who practice it.

Survivors include her three daughters Sindy and her husband Mitchell Mclain, Sherry and her husband Larry Jones, Donna and her husband Dave Metcalf, eight grandchildren Ashley and husband Ray Scifres, Nathan and wife Lindsey Jones, Jason and wife Tami Jones, Rusty Durham, Brad and wife Kassy Merchant, Clay McLain, Cassie and husband Alex Kirk, Chrissy McLain, and twelve great-grandchildren. And because of the work she began through T6, she also survived by an innumerable, extended family whose lives are forever changed because of Nana’s love.

These words don’t do justice to the person that was Margaret Aline Duncan, but the news of her passing could not be shared without at least giving the tiniest glimpse into the dynamic, life-loving, joy-giving, sacrificial, and generous human being she was.The chasm left in our hearts is great, but her goodness was greater, and we will endeavor to honor that goodness as we carry her memory on in the work that the family will continue as long as we all have strength and resources to do so.

A celebration of life gathering will take place at the T6 of West Texas facility, Saturday, September 7th beginning at 12:00 to 1:30 PM, LUNCH FOR ALL WILL BE PROVIDED. The Memorial service will be at 2:00 PM following the lunch and fellowship. On google maps, you can find us at: 6801 FM 597 Anton, Texas.

 In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the T6 of West Texas Foundation, P.O. Box 370, Anton, Texas 79313.