Nancy Mauney Mafrige

Nancy Mauney Mafrige peacefully passed away the morning of the 13th of February 2026, at her home in Galveston, surrounded by her loving family. Born on the 16th of August 1937, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the daughter of Sidney Franklin Mauney of Old Fort, North Carolina, and Golda Curts Mauney of Bridgeport, Illinois. Nancy was a loving big sister and best friend to her only sibling, Marilyn Mauney.

After Nancy’s birth, the family moved to Bridgeport, Illinois while her father served in WWII. Nancy loved to pick blackberries, buy malts at the candy store and spend time with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. Following WWII, her father returned home and took a job with Creole Oil Company as a Petroleum Engineer, moving Nancy and her family to Caracas, Venezuela. Nancy spent most of her time in Caracas horseback riding, playing tennis, and golfing. She and Marilyn attended Camp Chippewa in Wisconsin. She spoke fluent Spanish and often looked back with great fondness on the years she lived in Venezuela.

Beginning in high school, Nancy and other students boarded a plane and traveled to the states to attend school at San Marcos Baptist Academy, leading Nancy to meet her high school sweetheart and future husband, Don Mafrige, who was also a student at San Marcos Academy. Nancy became a favorite at the school and, even more so, to Don. By their senior year at SMA, Nancy was Sweetheart of Company B where Don served as commander. Nancy was a cheerleader and Don was captain of the football team. During her time at San Marcos Academy, other achievements included: Pep Squad, Student Council, Advisory President, Cue and Curtain Club, Y.W.A., B’ettes, volleyball team, Theater, Editor for school newspaper, National Honor Society, S.M.A. Top Twelve, Senior Representative, Calendar Girl and tennis team.

Nancy attended Rice University, making many lifelong friends. While living at Jones College, she befriended Clara Mae Morrow, the house mother at Jones College, who became her second mother in Texas. While at Rice, Don was at the University of Texas and their relationship continued to evolve.

Following graduation, Nancy was offered a four-year scholarship to the Sorbonne in France, as she spoke French fluently. Instead, she followed her heart and married her love, Don, and joined him as he began his military service. After settling back in Houston, Nancy and Don were blessed with four children. She worked as an English teacher at Lamar High School, and continued her education, receiving a master’s degree in English; and teaching as a professor of English at the University of Houston and St. Thomas University.

In the early days of their marriage, Nancy and Don joined Pine Forest Country Club, spending many nights playing tennis with their friends. Later, they joined the Houston Raquet Club and won tennis championships. Nancy loved playing golf at Galveston Country Club and was an exceptional golfer with an amazing tee shot. On three different occasions, she scored a “hole in one.” Nancy and Don shared many common hobbies, including tennis, golf, traveling, and scuba diving. They loved to attend both University of Texas and Rice football games. They both became pilots to fly their Cessna airplane. Nancy was said to be the better pilot. She was that rare combination of beauty, grace, and strength.

Her volunteering was extensive and included PTA President at Robert’s Elementary School, Pershing Junior High School, and Lamar High School; Softball coaching for West University Softball teams; serving on the board of Harris County Child Welfare for approximately ten years, most of the time as the president; a panelist on “Inquiry” PBS local television show in the 70’s; serving on the board of Women’s Athletics at her alma mater Rice University; working with her husband on the Rudy Tomjanovich Golf Tournament in Galveston; serving on the board at the Galveston Country Club, co-founding a local book club; volunteering for Our Daily Bread Homeless Shelter, Altar Guild and Vestry at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church; Vestry at Grace Episcopal Church in Galveston, and Galveston Historical Society.

Her faith in Christianity was a large part of her being. She studied religions of the world, including completing courses at Oxford, England and Sewannee in the Education for Ministry program. She later taught classes for EFM. She was committed to serving God in any way she could. She believed there is a common thread of goodness in all religions.

Her focus and commitment to her family included countless hours of driving and attending her children’s athletic events, coaching, tutoring, encouraging, supporting, while always having breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared each day. Nancy never complained, nor did she ever say anything negative about anyone else.

Nancy and Don loved to dance. In recent years, every evening at 5:45 pm, Don would put on a slow song and dance with Nancy over to the dinner table. Nancy and Don were married for sixty-six years. After a courageous journey with Alzheimer’s, with her husband Don by her side, they had their last dance. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney Franklin Mauney and Golda Curts, and her sister, Marilyn Mauney. She is survived by her husband, Donald Mafrige, Sr.; her children, Donald Mafrige, Jr., David Z. Mafrige, Sr. (Lynnette), Laura Mafrige (Diran), and Mauney Mafrige, and grandchildren: Sydney Mafrige Kerns, D. Zachary Mafrige, Jr., Holden Mafrige Stackhouse, Farris Mafrige-Elsaifi, Donald Bradley Mafrige-Elsaifi and Ronald Christian Mafrige-Elsaifi; her great-grandchildren, Myers Kerns, Emmeline Kerns, Ana Mafrige, and David Z. Mafrige, III, and many additional loved family members.

The family extends profound and heartfelt gratitude to Nancy’s caregivers and nurses, especially Tonya, who gave her comfort and peace through their kindness.

Two Services will be held on Wednesday, the 25th of February 2026, as follows:

First, a memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 25th of February, at the Grace Episcopal Church,1115 36th Street in Galveston.

Immediately following, all are invited to a reception in the Jinkins Hall.

Second, A Celebration of Nancy’s Life will commence at five o’clock in the afternoon, later that day, on Wednesday, the 25th of February, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited for a catered reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to “The Nancy Mauney Mafrige Scholarship” at the Rice Fund at Rice University MS-81, Post Office Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251, or to Grace Episcopal Church, 1115 36th Street, Galveston, Texas 77050, or to the charity of your choice. You may also access a link to both organizations below under the ‘Donations’ section.

We invite you to take a few moments to share memories and words of comfort and condolence with her family by selecting the ‘Add a Memory’ icon under the ‘Show your Support’ section below.