Nancy Elizabeth Farrell

The cherished life of Nancy Elizabeth Chewning Farrell came to an end on Sunday, September 29, 2019, after a brief illness. She was born on August 27, 1933 to Cornelius “Jack” and Dorcas Chewning in Austin, Texas. Later, the family (now including baby brother Jack) moved to Dallas. Nancy’s early life was filled with adventures, attending and excelling at Stephen J. Hay Elementary and North Dallas High School, and making new friends, many of whom remained close to Nancy throughout her life. She was gifted with a natural ability of nearly total-recall, and was scheduled to complete her college degree with the 1954 class at TCU. But she’d met the love of her life, Hugh John Farrell, and college classes were set aside. The following years were filled with the births of their four daughters, attending and leading PTA meetings, working on the family trade magazine business, and organizing family vacations involving enormous amounts of road trip miles, backseat sandwich assembly lines, tons of Coppertone lotion, and creased, well-worn maps. Nancy led various Blue Bird and Campfire Girls groups and the other million and one things involved in supporting an active, thriving family.

Upon retirement from Texas Instruments, Hugh and Nancy would spend the next decades welcoming and celebrating five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, traveling worldwide, and visiting places important to the family genealogy, up until Hugh’s death in 2013. Despite the loss, Nancy bravely continued to be an example of fortitude and graciousness to all around her. She carried on traveling, learning about new places and peoples, while adding to her life-long interest in early Dallas history. She was a long standing member and officer of the Greater North Dallas High School Alumni Association – it brought her such joy to help keep the Bulldog spirit going, and to help out the current students there. A member of two book clubs, Nancy was a voracious reader and loved to loan, give and recommend books she’d enjoyed. Of all her pursuits, her friendships always received her full and loving attention. They, and her faith, were the gold in her treasure chest.

We who got to know and love this caring, kind and gentle lady are truly blessed.

Nancy is survived by her four daughters, Melissa Holloway (Randy) of Crockett TX, Cathy Wilson of Garland TX, Sharon van Buskirk of Dallas TX and Kim Ursery (Jerry) of Garland TX; grandchildren Heather Boyt (Greg), Nikki Betts (Robert), Joe Ursery (Jennifer), Brandee Burke (Ryan) and Sarah Ursery; great-grandchildren Brooke, Brandon and Brice Boyt; Rylee and Payton Betts; Judeska Shirley-Ursery; and Carson and Piper Burke; brother and sister-in-law Jack and Sue Chewning; nieces Liz (Eric) Barton and Carolyn Elliott (Richard); great-niece Elissa and great-nephews Andrew, Mitchell, Russell, Jack and Chase, all of California.

The family would like to thank Hugh and Nancy’s wonderful neighbors, Dr. Robert Mennel and his staff, and the team on the 6th floor of T. Boone Pickens Cancer Hospital

There will be a private graveside service at Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas at a later date.

Remembrances can be made to the Greater North Dallas High School Alumni Association in Nancy’s honor.