Virginia Fern Delahoussaye

Fern was born on August 11, 1919 in Amelia Texas to parents Lonnie Porter and Velma Jewel Harris. She graduated from North Texas State Teacher’s College at Denton in 1939 with a degree in Journalism. She also went on later in life to further her education at the University of Texas at Austin with an all-level Library Certification, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Antioch College.

Fern was a vivacious, outgoing woman and a loving mother. She was a loyal, dedicated friend to those close to her heart. She married Norwood Joseph Delahoussaye in May 1942, and the couple raised three children together in Austin, Texas.

Fern was a social, active woman who was deeply involved in public school education and her church, the University Avenue Church of Christ of Austin, for the majority of her life. She spent the last 19 years of her working career as the librarian at Reagan High School in Austin, Texas from where she retired in 1985. She enjoyed an active retirement volunteering at the elementary schools where her daughter Jill was a librarian as well. Fern was a member for several years of the Church and Synagogue Library Association of Austin where she served as an officer most years she was involved, including President of the organization for two years.

Mother, also known as Grammy, enjoyed reading, sewing, traveling, and especially family get-togethers with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family and friends will always remember her as an energetic, witty person with a passion for education. She especially enjoyed a good joke and funny stories. How she loved to laugh!

She was supportive of all her children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors, and encouraged them to follow their dreams. She was our strongest cheerleader and our champion.

Fern was preceded in death by an infant son, Norwood J. Delahoussaye, Jr., of Beaumont Texas, infant daughter Baby Girl Delahoussaye of Beaumont, Texas, her husband Norwood J. Delahoussaye of Austin Texas, and sister Juanita Genell Dabbs of Beaumont, Texas.

Fern is survived by her daughter Sue Tyson and husband Dr. Ken Tyson of Burnet, Texas, her daughter Jill Stimson and husband Hugh of Austin, and son Lee Delahoussaye and wife Linda of Hutto, Texas. Fern is also survived by five granddaughters and six great-grandchildren.

Fern was born in the shadow one World War, survived WWII, endured the depression thereafter, and the loss of two infant children; however as painful as those losses were, she overcame her grief to maintain a positive, sunny outlook on life for her family.

A memorial is scheduled for Sunday, January 13 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at The University Avenue Church of Christ Chapel 1903 University Avenue in Austin, Texas. Mitchell East will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Fern’s life.

On Sunday, people attending The University of Ave Church of Christ are welcome to park in the A T and T Center underground parking directly across University Avenue to the left of the church which is to the right. You will receive a parking pass which the church can validate to allow free parking so bring permit in with you to the Chapel. State parking is also free on Sunday across the street on MLK adjacent to the Bob Bullock Museum.

The family would like to thank Pecan Ridge Memory Care of Austin, and Doctor Karen Romero of VPA, for their tender loving care of our mother for the past six months, and Cella Bella Hospice.

Donations may be made to Pecan Ridge Memory Care, , Cella Bella Hospice, Reagan High School Library or The University Avenue Church of Christ. Donations may be sent to J. Stimson c/o University Avenue Church of Christ, 1903 University Avenue, Austin, Texas 78705 or to the individual charities/organizations.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.