Nell Wilson Haish

Nell Wilson Haish (95) passed away peacefully at her residence in the Carriage Inn, Lake Jackson, TX on May 24, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Philip W. Haish of Lake Jackson in 2010. She is survived by her five beloved children and their spouses, Marilyn Haish Cook and Bill Cook of Lubbock, TX, Freddie Haish and Vickie Norris Haish of Lake Jackson, TX, Martha Haish Kelley and Kim Kelley of Georgetown, TX, Anita Haish Colglazier and John Colglazier of Spring, TX, Philip W. (Bill) Haish and Vickie Bowen of Walnut Creek, CA. Nell’s highest priority in life was her family. She once identified her favorite sound as the sound of her family’s happy conversations in the background—the lively banter, the laughter and the reminiscing.

Nell was happy to be blessed with eleven wonderful grandchildren, Caroline Cook, Collier Cook, Eddie Haish, Crystal Haish, Ken Scott, Douglas Anderson, Heather Anderson, Michael Colglazier, Nick Colglazier (deceased), Eric Colglazier and Kyle Haish.

She was also pleased to be blessed with ten beautiful great grandchildren.

Nell was born June 2, 1920 in Dallas, TX to Edward B. Wilson and Nell Cox Wilson both graduates of the University of Oklahoma. Her father was a pioneer geologist in the Permian Basin and other areas of the Southwest. Her mother was a respected educator who spoke several languages including Native American dialects.

Nell’s young mother’s dying request in 1926 to her husband was to keep their two little daughters together. Nell’s father stayed true to her mother’s wishes and Nell and her precious younger sister, Barbara, were never separated as they grew up.

Sister, Barbara Roer of Phoenix, AZ passed away in 2011. Barbara’s loving children include Teri Moore Williams, Debbie Moore Ruddock, Lorraine Moore Mowder, John Moore, Johanna Moore Brown (deceased), Angie Moore Yare, Kathryn Roer and Rachael Roer Marcus.

Also preceding Nell in death were her treasured and much loved cousins, Bobby Runyan and Anita Runyan Impton.

Nell was also preceded in death by best friends and sisters-in-laws Marti Haish Behr and Nancy Haish Gambino. Their cherished children and Nell’s nephews and nieces include Don Behr, Joe Gambino, John Gambino, Jenell Gambino Howard, Jane Gambino Dunn and Bill Gambino.

Nell often spoke fondly of her life-long friend and fellow Lake Jacksonite, Ann Newton Dingee (deceased) as well as the entire Dingee family.

Nell was a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Elementary Education. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She met Phil through his sister and Nell’s sorority sister, Marti Haish (Behr). In contrast with a college campus environment was the backdrop of the era – it was wartime and the days of rationing. Nell said they were 22 years-old and jobless when they left school. Phil was a “flyer” who would later train pilots in the Navy. Phil proposed to Nell as soon as he had a job, knowing he could be called to action by the Navy at any minute. They were married in Tyler, TX on September 19, 1942.

Nell and Phil were early residents of Lake Jackson, arriving in December 1945. They had homes on Wisteria, Center Way and Forest Drive in Lake Jackson and in Ryderwood, WA. Nell was thankful for Lake Jackson, describing it as a good place to raise her children.

Nell was active in the PTA in Lake Jackson Schools where she was also a substitute teacher. She was an active member of Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Lake Jackson. Besides watching her family grow, she enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and was an active member of several clubs over the years. She enjoyed watching the Texans football team and many college teams. Additionally, Nell had a love of beauty—in people, clothes, shoes and pretty places.

Nell was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend by anyone’s standards. She had a way of being loving, patient, encouraging and was respectful of individual differences. She believed in being a good listener, moderation in all things and gracious living. She had a great sense of humor and was especially good at laughing at herself.

The family wishes to thank the very helpful staff of Carriage Inn and Nell’s long-term care givers, Amy Flores and Janie Garza who helped her remain independent for so many years. Nell’s family also appreciates the special care provided by those who stepped in tirelessly in recent weeks to ease her physical burdens as her life was ending.

A family graveside service will be held at Restwood Cemetery in Clute, TX on May 31 at 11am.