Daisy Woodman Besse

Daisy Woodman Besse May 17, 1913 - May 18, 2007 Born May 17 in Mt. Selma, Texas, Daisy Livonia Woodman was raised right here in Austin, Texas in a fun-loving family of seven children. After the family survived the 1922 tornado that destroyed their home and belongings in Penn Field, south of St. Edwards University, they built a beautiful home on Riverside Drive where IH 35 now descends into Austin from the south. Daisy attended Fulmore School and Austin High School. As a young adult, Daisy loved to dance, participate in church activities, and work at her mother’s flower shop in the Austin hotel. She met the love of her life, Joseph M. Besse when he was in pharmacy school at the University of Texas. After serving in the navy, Joe and Daisy moved to Harlingen and later to Alice, Texas, where Joe was the town’s much beloved pharmacist. Daisy was a member of the Disciples of Christ Church since childhood and attended University Christian Church since she and Joe retired back to Austin in the 1970s. Throughout her life, Daisy was an expert seamstress, making tailored suits and hats. As a gardener, all plants flourished under her care. One of her favorite pastimes was to visit and enjoy the company of her three sisters. Since Joe’s death in 1994, she continued to be active in her church and in AISD’s mentoring program at Pillow Elementary School until age 90. Despite a year-long illness, Daisy remained vital and enjoyed her life thoroughly, frequently commenting on how blessed she was to have had such a full life with Joe and their two wonderful children. She is survived by her daughter Helen Carol Besse from Austin, her son Joseph W. Besse, wife Lorine, their daughter Kyndle and her husband Charles, their two children Payne and Paige, all of Cedar Hill, Texas. She is also survived by her sister Mary Pearson of Oregon, and numerous well-loved nieces and nephews. Daisy will be lying in state from 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2007 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at University Christian Church, 2007 University Avenue, in Austin. Parking is available in the church lot across the street. Following a brief reception at the church, graveside services will be held at Austin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Daisy’s memory to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin TX, 78759; University Christian Church Outreach Program; Habitat for Humanity; or the charity of your choice. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com