Nancy Dryden

Nancy Joan Schmidt Dryden passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025 at the age of 90, in Austin, Texas. Born on April 11, 1934 in Houston, Texas to Emin and Ruth Schmidt, Nancy lead a very full and active life. As a teen, she was involved in theater at Lamar High School and soon after graduating launched a career in modeling. In 1954 she met Woody Dryden and would go on to marry him and raise a family of five children, in Beaumont, TX. While raising their children, Nancy remained involved in modeling, volunteering, and theater. She played the lead roles in many Beaumont Community Players musical productions. Among those, she was Daisy Mae in Li’l Abner, Mary Turner in Of Thee I Sing, and her very favorite role of all…Laurey in Oklahoma. She would still sing songs from Oklahoma throughout this past year at her hospice residence. In addition to her numerous activities, Nancy was an amazing cook and was well known for throwing the best dinner parties. When her children were grown, Nancy moved back to her hometown of Houston where she worked for Vinson & Elkins law firm. Years later, she transferred to their Austin location to be closer to her children who had all settled in the Central Texas area.

Survivors include her five children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Judith and John Breidenbach of Spicewood and their daughter, Emily Grace; Carol and Gary Bellomy of Austin and their sons, Connor, Wes and fiancée Kate; Kim Harper of Austin and her sons, Taylor and wife Kendall, Will and fiancée Eliza; Chrissy and Rick Neal of Wimberley and their sons, Bryce and wife Sydney (as as well as their children, Hayes, Knox and Hallie), Reed and fiancée Syma, and Griffin; and Erich Dryden and his wife Jennifer Giesecke of Austin.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents, as well as her six siblings; Woody Dryden, and beloved grandson, Nicholas Bellomy.

The family wishes to thank Frances Mojica for her loving assistance and companionship to Nancy, as well as the entire staff of Silverleaf Eldercare at Lakeline.

A private family service will be held on Sunday, February 23, with arrangements being handled by Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home in Austin.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice.