| December 9, 2003
MARGARET KLEIN 'MARGO' EXLINE
Tireless volunteer for children's causes
Author: JOE SIMNACHER; Staff Writer
Margaret Klein "Margo" Exline was an entrepreneur and longtime children's advocate as a tireless volunteer for the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Ms. Exline, 59, died Saturday at Presbyterian Hospital of Plano of a heart attack related to a lung disease.
A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd. in Dallas.
Born in Cincinnati, Ms. Exline earned bachelor's degrees from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and Avila College in Kansas City, Mo.
Sam Exline of Dallas said his wife's career included founding a small business, Carbaree Clothing, a sweater company she started in Chicago with a single knitting machine.
She designed and manufactured sweaters, moving the company to Dallas when the couple relocated here. The company grew to employ 50 and sold merchandise to exclusive shops across the nation, her husband said.
But by the late 1980s, Ms. Exline's health began to fail because of a serious lung disease. "She had to back away from that," her husband said of the business, "which withered without her."Ms. Exline switched her emphasis from her business to children's causes, her husband said."The doctors could never understand how she could even walk across the street," he said.
Ms. Exline was involved with the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center League from its inception. The league supports the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, which coordinates a multidisciplinary team of professionals to help children 14 years old and younger through the investigation and treatment of serious and complex cases of physical and sexual abuse.
"She's always been an active supporter of children's rights," her husband said.Ms. Exline was also an active fund-raiser. Her efforts included twice serving as chairwoman of the Dallas Cares About Children 5K run. She was a longtime board member of the children's advocacy league, most recently serving as treasurer. She was also active with the Junior League of Dallas, North Dallas Shared Ministries and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
She was a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church.
Ms. Exline was active with her causes until she was hospitalized about two weeks ago, her husband said.
In addition to her husband, Ms. Exline is survived by two sons, Chris Exline of Hong Kong and Rob Exline of Dallas, as well as a daughter for whom she was a guardian, Freya Turner of Redwood City, Calif.
Memorials may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center or North Dallas Shared Ministries.
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