- Date Of Birth: February 19, 1940
- Date Of Death: January 18, 2015
- State: Texas
February 19, 1940 – January 18, 2015
Miriam Margaret McArthur Pedersen 1940-2015 Miriam Pedersen died in her sleep on Sunday, January 18, 2015. Hospitalized on January 7, she had been diagnosed with an arterial tear. The morning of her death, she called Paul, her husband, at 6:30 am, letting him know that she had a restful night and was looking forward to seeing him. By 7:04 am she had fallen asleep, her heart rate declined, and she passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior. Miriam was born on February 19, 1940, in New Orleans, Louisiana to James and Ruth McArthur. She was the youngest of their eight children. Miriam graduated from Alcee Fortier Senior High School in New Orleans in 1957. She began her undergraduate studies at Newcomb College, the coordinate women”s college of Tulane University. After she was married she continued her schooling at the University of New Orleans, graduating in 1963 with a bachelor”s degree in English. Years later she returned to school, and in 1988 earned a master”s degree in early childhood education from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. While at Newcomb, Miriam met Paul Pedersen and they were married on August 22, 1959. They were blessed with four children: Reidun Miriam on October 9, 1960; Paul McArthur on August 16, 1963; Erik John on April 13, 1967; and Kristine Ruth on December 31, 1969. A few years after moving to Houston with her family, Miriam began working at San Pedro Lutheran Preschool with Angie Morales. In this opportunity she discovered a love for working with young children. Miriam became the director of the San Pablo Lutheran Preschool, an outreach to Hispanic children in the Denver Harbor neighborhood of Houston. After completing her master”s degree, she taught 3rd grade at Pine Shadows Elementary School, part of the Spring Branch Independent School District. She then served as the pre-kindergarten teacher at Bethany Lutheran School in Houston. Miriam also served on the Board of Education at St. Mark Lutheran School. She was a trained Stephen Minister Leader, serving in that ministry at St. Mark Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Houston. After moving to Boerne, Texas with Paul in 2006, Miriam remained involved with her community through participation in congregational life at St. John Lutheran Church and Our Savior Lutheran Community, Kendall County Democratic Women”s Association, WARM Scrabble group and book club, PFLAG, and numerous other activities. Miriam is survived by her husband of 55 years, Paul Pedersen; their children, Reidun and son-in-law Ken Hilleman; Paul and partner Richard Sehl; Erik and daughter-in-law Karla Kish; Kristine and son-in-law Henry Biar, II; grandchildren Emily Hilleman, David Hilleman, Kayla Biar, Keenan Biar, and Shelby Biar; sister, Frances Santos; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Miriam loved listening to music and singing hymns in church.
