Estelle D. Fancher

Estelle D. Fancher passed away peacefully on July 3, 2016. She was a lifelong resident of Austin, devoted wife, and mother of three boys. She found joy in parenting; making sure that her boys were ready for anything; teaching them cooking, laundry, and sewing while tolerating their endeavors in car repair, car racing, and other activities boys do. Although they soon towered over their petite mother, she was the boss and they adored her. Estelle was always sharing her love of gardening, reading, and sewing with her grandchildren. She gave them handmade quilts and captured caterpillars from her garden so they could watch them grow into butterflies. She was always praised as the sweetest, kindest person by everyone who met her.

Estelle grew up on Elton Lane in central Austin and graduated from Austin High and The University of Texas. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi at UT and continued working with the sorority for several decades after graduation. She attended Tobe-Coburn in New York for a year specializing in fabric studies. Estelle returned to Austin, married Charlie, and they started their family in central Austin, before moving to the newly developing NW Hills where they raised their family and lived in the same house for 50 years. Estelle and Charlie have been happily married for 59 years. Aside from the work raising her family, Estelle volunteered at the schools her children attended then went to work in bookkeeping and office management for several local companies. As a member of First United Methodist Church she was an active member of the Befrienders (better known as the Church Ladies ).

Estelle was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Charlie; her son Eric and wife Emily; her son Kent and wife Carol; her son Karl; grandchildren Justin, Clara, Julienna, and Jordan; her brother John Walter Dooley and wife Vicki; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Pallbearers will be her three sons, cousin Dr. Adam Schneider, Mike Hovenga, and David Wheelock.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Weed-Corley-Fish, 3125 N Lamar. Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, July 8, 2016, at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel with pastors Kathleen Jones and Cathy Stone officiating. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.