Cecelia Elaine Braden

Cecelia Elaine Braden, a former letterman of the University of Texas’s women’s cross country track team, died Thursday in a one car accident near Lakeway. She was 50. Born at Chateauroux Air Base Hospital in Laon, France, she grew up an Air Force brat in the U.S., France, and Germany. She graduated in 1974 from Abilene Cooper High School where she was captain and letterman of the girl’s swim team. She swam for Midwestern University in Wichita Falls before switching schools and sports to Abilene Christian College track. She transferred to UT where she ran cross-country track and at one time held the state record for the women’s three-mile. She graduated from the University of Texas in 1981 with B.S. in Education. Known as “Ceil”, she started playing organized softball at the age of 14. She was active in the Austin women’s softball league for nearly 30 years as a player, coach, team sponsor, and state recognized umpire. A longtime resident of Lakeway, Ms. Braden started Lakeway Pool Maintenance in 1981 and celebrated 25 years in business this year. She is a member of IPSSA, the Independent Pool and Spa Service Association. Beloved aunt of six nieces and nephews, she enjoyed nothing more than watching them participate in sports. Last Thanksgiving, she ran with four of them, ages 5 to 10, in the annual Turkey Trot in Austin. She is survived by her sister, Anita Braden Ivey of Ellicott City, MD; three brothers, Eugene Braden of Plano, Donald Braden of Austin, and John Braden of Round Rock; four nephews, Matthew and Cameron Ivey, Mason and Nick Braden, and two nieces, Hailey and Lilly Braden. A funeral mass will be offered at Lakeway Church on Tuesday, August 15th at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cecelia’s name to the Austin Humane Society, 124 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com