Nellie May McManus Galny

Nellie May McManus Galny was born December 14, 1923 in Galveston, TX and died December 5, 2020 in Houston, TX, one week shy of her 97th birthday. Both her parents and childhood home survived the great hurricane of 1900 in Galveston, where the house still stands today.

Born prematurely, Nellie proved to be a fighter and survivor from the beginning, with at least one other major test of courage. When she was twelve and suffering from a near-fatal case of pneumonia, she recalled Jesus floated in through her window, standing at the foot of the bed. He asked her, “Are you ready?” She informed him she was not ready… she wanted to grow up, get married and have three children. He left, she fully recovered, married her childhood sweetheart, and was blessed with three children. She kept this event quiet until just a few years ago.

She attended Austin High School in Houston, Texas, followed by the University of Houston. On October 4, 1945, she married Hank Galny, who served as a decorated World War II Air Force pilot and later became an exploration geologist. During their time at the University of Texas in Austin, Nellie worked as a draftsman for the telephone company—long before computers were invented. Nellie and Hank also lived in Wichita Falls, TX, Roswell, NM, and Durango, CO before permanently returning to Houston. No matter where Hank’s job took them, Nellie loved being a devoted wife and mother to their children.

The happy couple spent many years traveling together to every corner of the globe, most notably on an around-the-world tour on the Concord. They also enjoyed spending time at “The Bay”—a home where the family often gathered in Baytown, Texas—and in Akumal, Mexico, where they vacationed with family for a number of years.

Nellie was active in a bowling league and bridge clubs most of her life, and she also loved square dancing and camping. She was a longtime member of Young at Heart and a lifelong member of Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Additionally, she was a member of First United Methodist Church of Pearland, proud to attend where her nephew, Keith Whitaker, was the head pastor.

Nellie’s warmth and bright smile were known by everyone who knew her, but all lives are not without difficulties along the way. She lost her eldest son, Roy, to cancer in 2003, and her husband of 71 years passed away in 2017. A few months later, their home of 46 years and most of their belongings were damaged beyond repair by the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey. Nellie herself had to escape by way of a dump truck and a very helpful caregiver, Willie.

After that, Nellie lived at Colonial Oaks, where she enjoyed the staff, meals, and many activities (her favorite was Bingo). Another wonderful caregiver, Tibe Yosef, whom Nellie and the family love dearly, cared for her until her last day on earth.

Nellie was preceded in death by her husband, Gerhard Henry “Hank” Galny, parents, Harold Russell McManus, Sr. and Sara Louise Burgess McManus, brother, Harold Russell McManus, Jr., sister-in-law, Velma Eileen Galny Whitaker, brother-in-law, Thomas Norman Whitaker, and her son, Roy Kenneth Galny.

She is survived by her daughter, Fay Galny Farkas, son-in-law, George Paul Farkas, her son, Robert Nelson Galny, and daughters-in-law, Diane Petok Galny and Michele Spilsbury Galny; granddaughters Sheri Galny Thomas and husband, Jesse; Crystal Galny Zwerneman and husband, Brent; Tanya Galny Smalling and husband, David; grandson, Austin Reed Galny and wife, Alana; granddaughter Shelby Lee Galny; great-grandchildren, Emma and Micah Thomas; Will, Zoe, and Brady Zwerneman; Trey and Jack Smalling, and Aaron Galny; as well as cherished nieces and nephews, along with their children and grandchildren.

A private viewing will be held at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, Texas on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 1:00 p.m., followed by the burial service at 2:00 p.m. Masks will be required and social distancing observed at both the viewing and burial. Memorials may be made to First Methodist Church in Pearland or the American Heart Association. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories of Nellie in the online memorial guest book.