Frances Marie Swick Stanish

Frances Marie (Swick) Stanish, 75, entered peacefully into eternal rest on the 5th of August 2011 at home with her family by her side, after a courageous fourteen year battle with breast cancer. Frances was a devoted mother, caring sister, and a proud and loving “Nana” to her grandchildren. Her strong work ethic began as a young girl when she picked cotton and worked in the family café. She became well known in the Austin community as owner of Top Notch Restaurant. After her 1997 diagnosis of breast cancer, she continued to work virtually every day even with the multiple treatments she underwent in her valiant effort to beat the disease. Frances inspired the many lives that she touched, from her family and employees, to the countless customers that she served daily at the restaurant. Her resilient, determined nature encouraged many to have strength in life’s adversities. She was committed to the legacy she built even after the death of her former husband and her son, and only retired when her health would not let her go on.

Frances was born on the 22nd of May 1936 in Bremond Texas. She was raised in Bremond, and graduated from Bremond High School in 1955. She married Ray (Stawnicz) Stanish in September 1957 and they moved to Austin where they raised their four children. She worked tirelessly beside her husband as they built a successful business into an Austin landmark. She was a remarkably devoted mother, and she often sacrificed her own needs for those of her children and grandchildren. She was very involved with her children’s Catholic Education and was a primary benefactor of St. Louis Catholic Church Fun Fest for over 30 years.

Frances is predeceased by parents, Herman Ray Swick and Cecilia (Bartula) Swick, brother, Herman Ray Swick, Jr., sister, Barbara “Bobbie” Swick, former husband, Ray Stanish, and her son James Stanish.

Frances is survived by her daughters Janet Stanish-Knue (Patrick), and Joan Tucker (Allan), and by her son Joe Stanish (Jackie); five grandchildren, Rebecca, Jeffery, William and Lilah Tucker, and Tamra Stanish, two step-grandchildren David and Stephen, her sisters, Margaret Johnson, Dorothy Atomanaczyk, and Clara Keel, and many nephews and nieces.

Frances was very grateful for the many years of compassionate care given her by Dr. Robert Kerr, Dr. Laura Bunch, Colleen, and the entire staff of Texas Oncology. The family would like to thank the Odyssey Hospice team whose kind attentiveness to our mother in her final days was such a blessing.

Friends are cordially invited to visitation with the family from five o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening, on Monday, the 8th of August 2011, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. A Rosary will be recited at seven o’clock that evening.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Frances’ life will be celebrated at nine o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 9th of August, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Celebrant will be Reverend Larry Covington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.