Agnes Mary Gloyna

Agnes Mary (Lehman) Gloyna passed away June 22, 2011, completing a long life filled with love of family, friends, and students, a multitude of both interesting and worthwhile accomplishments, and the adoration of Dr. Earnest F. Gloyna, her husband of 66 years.

“The love that we have in our youth

is superficial compared to the love

an old man has for his wife.”

---Will Durant

Agnes was the first child born to Anna and Ed Lehman of Wilbarger County, Texas, on July 2, 1920. With her younger siblings, Margueritte and Ed Jr., she spent her childhood in a rural community of northwest Texas. Agnes attended Five-In-One High School, Wilbarger County---graduating in 1938.

She continued her education at Our Lady-of-the-Lake University, San Antonio, Texas. She earned a B.A. in Sociology, 1942. The same year, she received the honor of “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.” She entered graduate school in social work at Catholic University in Washington D.C., 1944. In addition, Agnes had a strong music interest, which spanned high school and college, playing the saxophone and violin.

On February 17, 1945, Agnes and Major Earnest F. Gloyna married in Vernon, Texas. It was a relationship that began in infancy as their mothers were best friends. The wedding was described by friends as “The Kids Finally Did It!!!” The Vernon Times announced the “nuptial rites of the popular Five-In-One couple!” This married couple went on to create an outstanding and successful life together.

They had two children. David F. Gloyna, M.D., who is an anesthesiologist at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas, as well as on the faculty of Texas A&M Medical School. Lisa A. Gloyna, who has spent years in education as a science teacher. Also, Agnes and Earnest have four grandchildren, Keith Grosskopf and wife, Molly, Steve Grosskopf (deceased), Scott Gloyna, and Tara Gloyna.

Agnes was a very active community volunteer, a family business partner, and an airplane pilot. She participated actively and provided leadership in the development of the family and in the many activities associated with her husband, children and her volunteer work. Her charm, talent and drive carried the family through the years.

During the ten years of 1942-1952, Agnes served as a social worker throughout the State of Texas, with the Catholic Church in Texas and in Baltimore, MD, and with the U.S. Veterans Administration in Austin, TX.

Her involvement at The University of Texas at Austin included The T-Squares, the University of Texas Ladies Club, The College of Engineering Foundation, and the Huntington Art Advisory Council.

Agnes’ involvement in her community included the first presidency of Ladies Auxiliary of Holy Cross Hospital, Austin Women’s Club, Women’s Symphony League, Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries, Seton Hospital Development Board, Meals on Wheels, and various civic activities.

Her quiet sophistication permeated all her endeavors, ranging from get-togethers with her friends and the activities of her children to the academic and professional life she shared with her husband. Her personality and sense of style shined when she organized the entertainment for the spouses of various engineering organizations in which Earnest was active. Her field trips and luncheons and fashion shows were always so elegant, so creative---and fun! Special achievements of Agnes and of which both she and Earnest are especially proud include a Pilot License, May 22, 1967, Radio-telephone Operator Permit, June 7, 1966---and most importantly, keeping her lifelong companion, husband, and the Dean out of trouble.

Besides all of these activities and accomplishments, Agnes found time to master the art of fine cooking, create a beautiful home, entertain with aplomb, and create designs for quilts, clothes, and ceramics.

Agnes is survived by her husband, her two children, and three grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Margueritte Lehman Miller, her brothers-in-law, Robert R. Gloyna and wife, Edna; and Emmett Gloyna and wife, Deborah.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 26th, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 27, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Austin’s Catholic Church, 2026 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Friends of Alec, Cockrell School of Engineering, UT Austin, or Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas, in memory of Agnes M. Gloyna.