LaVerne Walsh

Five foot two and eyes of blue that sparkled with a quick wit, humor and lots of love will forever be in our hearts with the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, LaVerne Walsh , age 102. Born in Pflugerville, Texas on June 24th, 1913, LaVerne moved to east Austin with her family and was raised at the corner of East 1st Street and Canadian, where her father owned and ran the local Red and White Grocery across the street from their home. Her father's store provided many wonderful memories where she learned the importance of accurate bookkeeping and great customer service. It also provided many life lessons over the years such as kindness and true Christ centered charity by watching her father distribute much needed food to many who were severely affected by the Depression or other dire circumstances, allowing them to run up large tabs but never asking for payment. It was also used as a convenient escape from household cleaning as she would oftentimes ask for permission to go and "help her Dad in the store" when chores were being handed out.

Growing up, LaVerne was just as comfortable playing with dolls as joining in a baseball game with the neighborhood boys, having to play in a dress as it wasn't proper during that time for little girls to wear pants. She would often get into trouble for climbing up in the trees in her dress but that was LaVerne, always adventurous and a little tomboy whose favorite color was pink. The old electric streetcars that rolled around the central streets of Austin at the time were always a source of entertainment for LaVerne. One of the routes ended in front of her house and the conductor would manually turn the car around to head back downtown. If her timing was just right, the conductor would allow her to help him turn the street car around, quite the exciting adventure for a little girl.

LaVerne attended Metz elementary and as a student at Austin High school, a handsome young baseball player, Norman Walsh, caught her eye (as well as those of many other coeds!) but LaVerne was the apple of his eye and soon after she graduated they were married. They lived all of their married life in East Austin. Her husband ran the Mobil station at 7th and IH 35 for many years, which she assisted in managing when he became ill during the last years of his life.

LaVerne was a true homemaker and caregiver in every sense of the word. She created a home that was clean, neat, orderly and full of love. Beautiful flowerbeds adorned her home and she was a compassionate caregiver to many. She kept stacks of journals as well as shelves of scrapbooks; keeping a record of her life for future generations to learn from the lessons she had been taught. Her wit was sharp, quick and one had to learn to listen closely or you might miss the one- liners she could throw out faster than lightning, but always with a twinkle in her eye. She reveled in writing zany poetry, perhaps not what the literary world would consider of merit but were always good for a hearty laugh.

Christmas was a delight and magical at her house. Smells of German pastries and goodies would fill the air on Christmas morning with the door to the living room closed and the twinkle of the tree lights coming through the keyhole. She spoke often of her wonderful memories of Christmas as a child with Santa decorating the tree behind the closed doors of the living room and the smell of fresh cedar, candles and oranges and apples on the tree as the doors were opened to see what Santa had brought. She relished in creating the same wonderful Christmas memories for her children and grandchildren.

Birthdays with her grandchildren were always much anticipated events. She would take each grandchild for a birthday excursion of shopping, dining and an activity of their choice. She often said she probably played more Peter Pan putt-putt golf than any other woman her age but those birthday events are still topics of great delight and legend among her grandchildren.

Her life personified service. She was the oldest living member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Austin area and was one of the pioneers in the area that witnessed the church grow over the decades of her life from a handful of members to thousands in the Austin area today. In the early days of the church, the children's organization, the Primary, would often hold their weekly weekday meeting on her front porch, always opening her home when needed. Church service took her during the early years to many areas around the state of Texas, traveling many miles to Houston, Beaumont, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and other locations, never with a complaint, always with a smile, sometimes with hair-raising adventures along the way and the attitude of "that was what needed to be done, so that's what we did and never thought of it as a sacrifice!" Her faith was unwavering throughout her life and she served in many capacities in the church.

Love, laughter, compassion, hard-work, dedication and service defined her life. She left a legacy not only for her family but many, many others on how to serve with a pure heart. She was, and always will be, the matriarch and rock of our family. For your love, example, strength, courage and unwavering faith, we, as your family, will always be eternally grateful.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband Norman Walsh and daughter Betty Lou. She is survived by her daughter Norma McCullough of Austin, son James and Sharon Walsh of Katy, Texas, son Tommy and Rita Walsh of Buda, grandchildren Mike and Cara McCullough, Scott McCullough, Todd and Bridget McCullough, Scooter and Lindsay McCullough, Melanie and Brent Allison, James and Lisa Walsh, Tobi and Don Moreland, Russ and Ellie Walsh, Trent and Jennifer Walsh, Brian Walsh and April and Dan Layman as well as numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Dharthan and Maggie Albers of Austin and several nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, Texas 78734 on Friday, January 22nd from 12 – 5 p.m. Though this is not an official viewing and the family will not be present, those desiring to go by for a viewing may do so during this time.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 23rd, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Bee Cave Chapel, 12001 Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas 78738. A viewing will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. that morning at the chapel. Interment will be held immediately following the service at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery at 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, TX. 78731. All are welcome to attend the graveside service.