First season The Amazing Race contestant Margaretta Groark passed away following a three-year battle with cancer and pulmonary fibrosis on October 26.
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Groark, a 67-year-old former newspaper reporter and blackjack dealer, had been living in Rockwall, TX with David Groark, her husband of 48 years, at the time of her death, according to an obituary published in Thursday's Rockwall County News.
The couple had competed on the CBS reality show's initial 2001 season as the "Grandparents" team. They were the fourth team to be eliminated from the competition.
Groark was also an accomplished pilot and spent ten years doing formation flying with her husband -- a former Air Force fighter pilot -- at local air shows. In addition to writing a humor column for two local newspapers, she had also been published in both national and international aviation publications. Her other activities included skiing, SCUBA diving, and volunteering for numerous children's groups.
She is survived by her husband, three daughters, son, nine grandchildren, and two sisters.
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A memorial service will be held on November 8 at 11:30AM at the Unity Church of Dallas. In lieu of flowers, her obituary stated that Groark had requested donations be made to the United Church of Dallas in her memory.
About The Author: John Bracchitta