Obituaries

Obituary published in the November 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

MARY ANN TONGATE BENGTSON

FREDERICKSBURG – Mary Ann (MA) Tongate Bengtson, 89, the first female city desk editor at the San Antonio Express-News, died Oct. 8 at Heritage Place in Fredericksburg.

A graduate of Waco High School, she studied journalism at Texas Tech University and finished her degree at West Texas State University.

She worked for the Amarillo Globe in the 1950s. From 1969-1973 she worked as an administrative assistant to three members of the Texas House of Representatives. She was especially proud of her time working for Ann Richards. She also worked for several offices in Washington, D.C. 

She years with the San Antonio Express News included her serving as night editor and city desk editor.

From 1987-1992 she served as the media liaison for Seton Hospital in Austin. While at Seton, she was honored with the Outstanding Communicator Award from Women in Communications Inc., for her handling of media during a hostage situation on the Seton Campus. Bengtson also served as the first chairman of the Texas Hospital Association’s Media Advisory Group, an ad hoc committee of the THA Board of Directors.

During three years with the Baytown Sun, Bengtson worked as a general assignment reporter, covering city government, environmental issues, business, industry and Goose Creek CISD. Later, she served on the Sun’s Reader Advisory Board.

She also worked for San Jacinto Hospital (now Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital) writing for the marketing and business development department. In 2005 she was given the Baytown Top Hand Award for her work with the Handicap Children’s Rodeo.

She moved from Baytown to Fredericksburg three years ago to be closer to family.

Services were held Oct. 14 at Salt Creek Cemetery.

Preceded in death by her parents and her son, she is survived by a sister and other relatives.

Memorials my be donations to the Special Needs Children’s Rodeo, 3411 Garth Rd. H208, Baytown, TX 77521 or Baytown Police Canine Program, Sgt J.R. Miller, 3200 North Main, Baytown, TX 77521.