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Margaret Ann Boatright dies at 86

By Jim Wieck

BURNET, Texas, March 28 (UPI) -- Margaret Ann Boatright, former president of Wieck, the Dallas-based software development and content management firm, and a longtime executive with United Press International, died Wednesday. She was 86. Her overall health had been declining in recent weeks and she died of natural causes at a local hospital, according to a family spokesman. She lived in nearby Horseshoe Bay. Boatright, who served as president of Wieck from May 1, 2001, to Jan. 1, 2003, was an operational founder of the company, which began offering photo distribution services for The New York Times News Service in 1991.

"Marge put us in business," said Chairman James F. Wieck, who co-founded the business with Travis M. Hughs in the fall of 1990. "She went to New York and landed that first contract and we had immediate legitimacy. "But Marge was so much more than a business associate and partner," said Wieck. "She was long-time friend who shared with many of us our personal joys and sorrows along with our triumphs and tragedies." Boatright became president of Wieck after the death of Hughs in 2001. Tim Roberts, the other operational founder of the firm, was appointed to the position upon her retirement. Wieck and its companion company in Australia, now provides services to clients around the world. In addition to The New York Times Syndicate and News Services, they include Allstate, American Honda Motor Co., several Australian federal and territorial government departments, Baylor Scott & White Health, Haymarket Publications in London, Mercedes Benz USA, Nissan Americas and Nissan Global and Southwest Airlines. "Marge was the consummate professional," said Roberts. "Her decades of experience on the business and sales side of the news industry helped us jump-start the company. She was a genteel Texas lady who knew how to work a room and command attention. I echo the sentiments that I hear from colleagues around the world – 'She's a class act.' She certainly was that, and she will be missed." "She made doing business a pleasure," said Gloria B. Anderson, a former President of The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation and now retired. "Marge was a pro. And a great lady. Like many others, I owe her a thousand thanks for her cooperation, persistence and friendship." "I remember when we were first putting together (the photo distribution system) she came up for a lunch meeting," said Sergio Florez, Managing Editor/Images for The New York Times News Service. "During a pause in the conversation she said – not to anyone in particular but in her usual tone, which meant all those who ignore her do so at their own peril – 'Whatever it takes we're going to do it right.'" Lad Paul, retired editor of the news service, added, "She's a class act, and somebody I feel privileged to have known." Boatright graduated from the University of Texas in 1950 as one of two women in the School of Business. She had minor in Transportation. She began her career with United Press International in 1961. She was among the guests at the Dallas Trade Mart on Nov. 22, 1963, anticipating the arrival of President John F. Kennedy when he was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. "When I heard the president had been shot, I immediately began going around to the tables where our clients were seated and told them what was going on," she said during a gathering of former UPI employees at a 2013 luncheon in Dallas commemorating the 50th anniversary of the tragedy. "After I notified everyone that I could find, I called the office and was told to come in and help work the phones." However, the UPI reporter that had given her a ride to the Trade Mart already had been given a new assignment. She had no ride and no taxicabs were available. "So I spoke with this couple outside and, even though it was out of their way, they agreed to take me downtown to the office," she said. "I thought that was so nice." Boatright, Hughs, Roberts and Wieck worked together at UPI in Dallas during the 1980s. Hughs was the Southwest Division Manager, Boatright was a sales executive, Roberts was a contract photographer and Wieck was the division news editor for the nine-state territory. Boatright became the division manger when Hughs left to take a job with Reuters. Boatright had helped break new ground for women in the news business when she was appointed UPI's first female Regional Executive (the wire service's title for its sales representatives). "She pushed on and broke the 'glass ceiling' before we acknowledged there was one," said Tom Brooks, who was a UPI news staffer in several bureaus before becoming the Southwest Division Sales Manager. "She was a combination mother, confidant, adviser and powerful business force in the division." "Marge was the face of UPI in Texas for years," said Phil Magers, retired Dallas bureau manager. "She was very, very good at her job, and she was respected by our clients and others in the news business. When I used to see Jack Loftis, the late editor of the Houston Chronicle, the first words out of his mouth were, 'How is Marge?'" "Margaret Ann was one of a kind," said Irving J. (Pinky) Vidacovich, who worked alongside her during his stint as division Business Manager. "A great lady and the epitome of a Unipresser. She will be missed by me and all the other UPI folks who got their real start from her." "Marge stood out in the crowd ... not only because of her stylish dressing, but also as the lone female executive in a sea of men," said Olive Talley, who first met Marge at a broadcast convention. Talley, who later worked in the Houston UPI bureau and now is a freelance video producer in Dallas, added, "In those days, women were still in the minority in newsrooms, so it was a memorable moment to meet her and watch her work the room." "She has such great style," said Mary Van Meter, a former regional executive with UPI and now Publisher of News & Tech, based in Denver. "I will forever honor her."

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"Marge was such a role model, a woman who combined ambition, brains and charm," said Vicky Bowles, who worked in the Dallas UPI bureau in the 1980s and now lives in Florida. "She knew everything about her clients – how to win them and how to keep them," added Deborah Wormser of Dallas, another member of the bureau staff. "She was exceptionally upbeat and kept her cool when those around her weren't," said Gayland Bryant, who was a news staffer in Albuquerque and then a regional executive there and later in Kansas City. "A great lady, and most certainly the sanest one of the bunch of us," added Roy Brightbill, who worked in numerous UPI bureaus and management positions, and is retired in Mobile, Al. "Marge, of course, had the further attributes of a Southern Lady who could charm just about anyone out of whatever she wanted, and a Texas accent as soothing as good whisky," said Steve Forsythe, who was a UPI regional executive based in Jefferson City, Mo., and continues to live there. Margaret Ann Carson was born Oct, 23,1928, in San Angelo, TX, to Nessye (cq) Fleming Carson and J. Milton Carson, both of whom preceded her in death. She graduated at the top of her class at Brady High School in 1946. While attending the University of Texas, she joined Alpha Omicron Pi, the international women's fraternity founded in 1897 before the term sorority was in use. She served a term as president of the local chapter. Her parents divorced and during her college days, her mother married Richard S. Mosely, a rancher from Rochelle, TX. "Daddy Richard" was beloved by Margaret Ann and also preceded her in death. After graduation, she moved to Dallas and went to work for Bekins Van and Storage in the claims department. On Valentine's Day in 1954, she married Kyle Boatright at a ceremony in Brady. Their daughter, Bethann, was born the following year and a son, Jay, was born in 1957. She and Kyle, who also preceded her in death, loved world travel and frequently were accompanied by their children, and, in later years their grandchildren. She is survived by a sister, Elsie Burt O'Neal, daughter Bethann Freeland and husband Mark, of McAllen, TX, and a son, Jay Boatright of Horseshoe Bay, TX, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31.

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