Annabelle Chavez

Annabelle Sefcik Chavez died on November 27, 2012 at the age of 80 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born an only child in El Campo, TX to Selma Glomb Sefcik and Edward Sefcik. Annabelle lived in El Campo until she entered nursing school at St. Joseph’s Hospital – Sisters of Charity. It was at the hospital that she met her husband, Dr. Manuel Chavez of Mexico City. In 1962 she left St. Joseph’s to practice cancer nursing at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She retired from MD Anderson in 1994, after 32 years of caring for cancer patients. Annabelle and her family were long time residents of Bellaire, Texas.

Annabelle was an active member of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Parish Counsel, an active Eucharistic Minister, and volunteered to support many of the church service ministries. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, gardening, playing bridge and traveling. She was a member of M.D. Anderson’s retiree’s group, Theresians and the St. Joseph’s Alumni Group.

She was preceded in death by her parents Selma and Ed Sefcik and her husband, Dr. Manuel Chavez. She is survived by: Son, Carlos Chavez, his wife Pamela and their children, Jason Chavez and Lauren Chavez; Son, Greg Chavez, his wife Cynthia and their child, Chase Chavez; Daughter, Cathy Chavez Steele, her children Blake Steele and Taylor Steele, and their father Gary Steele; And the sister of her heart, Joyce Butler.

She leaves behind many loving cousins, her fellow bridge players, and the Holy Ghost Catholic Church Community. Annabelle was much loved by her family and friends, who will miss her and her smile dearly.

Friends are invited to visitation with the family from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 30, 2012 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Graveside Service will follow at 2:30 p.m., Holy Cross Memorial Park in El Campo, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Annabelle’s honor to the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 6921 Chetwood, Houston, TX 77081.