Margaret Ruth (Israel) McDaniel

Margaret Israel McDaniel

1952 - 2020

Margaret McDaniel was called home to the Lord on April 21, 2020.  Margaret was born in Sante Fe County, NM to Kirk Israel and Catherine (Price) Israel. She was one of eight children and a 1970 graduate of Aztec High School. She was an avid gardener who enjoyed working in her yard.

Margaret was a devoted wife to Gary McDaniel and mother of four, Tonya, Tamera, Jeremy and Travis Stinson. She was blessed with five grandchildren, Macy, Kendall, Jersy, Jagger and Tyler and three great-grandchildren, Lillian, Jack and Leah. Her fondest memories and proudest moments were that of her children and grandchildren.

Margaret was dedicated to her community and was active in local politics, selflessly serving the county and the Navajo Nation. In addition to serving as a 2 term San Juan County Commissioner, she worked for San Juan Economic Development (later known as Four Corners Economic Development) from 1993 – 2012 in a variety of roles, including executive director. Throughout the county and state she held many different business leadership roles and garnered many different honors including Citizen of the Year in both Aztec and Bloomfield, NM IDEA Developer of the Year, Four Corners Professional Development Conference Woman of the Year and NM Business Weekly Woman of Influence.

Margaret was defined by her faith. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she volunteered in many leadership roles, served as a Temple worker and consistently searched for opportunities to serve others. Everything Margaret did was an example to those she encountered.  Her enthusiasm, dedication, and work ethic, along with her compassion, kindness and love for her family and others will be missed.

Margaret was preceded in death by her daughter Tamera, her parents, three brothers, Robert, Jimmy and Jody Israel and a sister, Lois May (Israel) Barnes. She is survived by husband Gary McDaniel, daughter Tonya Stinson, sons Jeremy (Becky) and Travis (Elizabeth) Stinson, brothers Jack (Evelyn) and Bill (Kim) Israel and sister Helen (Jule) Minuim and sister-in-law Debbie Israel.

A small graveside memorial was held on April 24th at the Aztec Cemetery. A celebration of life and church services will be scheduled for later this year.