Margo Wheeler, a Realtor based in Tacoma and the vice president of association affairs at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), died on Saturday. Her family has not shared an official statement on the cause of her death.
“Margo has been a treasured member of the NAR family for nearly 30 years, serving in numerous volunteer roles at the local, state and national levels,” NAR President Kenny Parcell said in a statement. “Within this time, she served with gracious devotion and helped advance the mission of the association, all while being a mentor and source of guidance and strength for countless others.
At the time of her death, Wheeler had also been working as a managing broker at John L. Scott Real Estate. Wheeler had been with the company since 2016 and specialized in working with military homebuyers, first-time buyers and families going through divorce or loss. Her expertise was in government mortgage programs, such as FHA and VA loans.
Wheeler also served as president of the Washington Realtors in 2017.
“She was a wonderful person, a wonderful mentor, a wonderful advocate for REALTORS®, and a true professional. She will be missed,” the organization said in a statement released in memory of its former president.
A Philadelphia native, Wheeler grew up in Tacoma and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving for almost two decades before retiring as First Sergeant.
During her career, Wheeler held numerous other positions as well, including the role of president of the Tacoma Pierce County Association. She was awarded the Realtor of the Year in 2012 by the Women’s Council of Realtors, where she was a member for 28 years. Wheeler also served on the Western Washington Realtist Chapter’s executive committee.
Wheeler leaves behind a legacy of leadership, according to Parcell.
“Margo was in position to fulfill her role as vice president with the same passion and commitment that she has displayed for so many years,” he said.
Other roles that Wheeler held during her nearly three-decade career include broker at Red Moon Realty, associate broker, Realtor and managing broker at Crescent Realty and national financial secretary at the Women’s Council of Realtors (WCR).
In addition, Wheeler had a background as a diversity issues trainer and served on the Housing Opportunity Committee between 2015 and 2017, the Diversity Committee in 2014, the Fair Housing Discriminatory Effects Committee in 2013 and Equal Opportunity-Cultural Diversity Committee between 2000 and 2003.