Ann Worley

Ann Worley, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, aunt and friend, died peacefully on Sunday morning, April 10, 2016, leaving her family and friends with heavy hearts but filled with love and precious memories.

Ann was born November 23, 1927, in Dallas to Rentz and T.C. (Long) Gullick, now deceased.

She grew up there, graduating from Sunset High School, where she played tennis and was the art editor of the yearbook. She came to Austin to attend the University of Texas and graduated with a BA and MA in Art Education. It was there that she met and married the love of her life, Gene Worley. They were married for 46 years until his death in 1995. Even though Gene was a homebody, he accompanied her on many of her travels, but one of their greatest loves was to spend time together at their place on Lake Travis – their little piece of heaven here on Earth.

Ann was a member of only two churches in her lifetime – Western Heights Church of Christ in Dallas and University Avenue Church of Christ in Austin. She and Gene co-taught first grade Sunday school for 20 years and worked together on the Wednesday-night kitchen crew. They traveled together to Israel with many other UA members and served as hosts for many luncheons and church showers. Ann's travels took her to Greece three times, the Soviet Union, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, Israel, Ireland, England, Germany and several other European countries, plus the lower-48 states. Gene accompanied her on many trips, and Emma Lea Mayton was one of her favorite traveling companions.

Ann had a long and distinguished career as an elementary-school art teacher. She had an exceptional way of bringing out art creativity in her students that rivaled that of professional artists. In 1989, she was named Outstanding Elementary Art Educator of the Year for the State of Texas. After retiring in 1990 from Doss Elementary, she continued to teach young artists at private schools, as well as inspiring art education majors at Texas State University in San Marcos. Ann's survivors want to honor her contribution to the art culture of Austin Independent School District by suggesting that an elementary school in Austin be named in her honor.

While still teaching, Ann helped Gene start their own business. In 1972, Worley Printing Co. began operating on West 6th Street next to Hoffbrau Steaks. In 1984, they moved into their own building on IH 35 near 32nd Street and are still at that location. Ann became president of the company and held that position the last 21 years.

Hosting parties was a true gift of Ann's that she shared with family and friends. She loved entertaining at home, church or at the lake house. A beautifully decorated table was her forte. It sometimes took the entire "family village" to put on these events. While living at Brookdale Northwest Hills the past few years, she continued this tradition by decorating her entryway with a monthly theme and offered cookies to anyone who came to visit.

Another of her prolific gifts was scrapbooking. She was quite the photographer and had an elaborate system of keeping all the thousands of her pictures in order. She documented weddings, the family, her travels, church groups, her art-teacher friends – all in beautiful books filled with photos and her writings. Ann had such beautiful printing, and daughter Linda has taken over for her labeling books. They are priceless treasures for the family and her friends. When we would gather at Ann's, she got such a thrill watching the four grandkids sitting on the couch pouring through these books and laughing at all the funny pictures.

She is survived by her siblings, Joyce Van Houten of Houston and Rentz Gullick of Washington State; her children, Linda Worley, Neal Worley and his wife Edwina, and Gayle Worley; four grandchildren: Brian Smith, Elizabeth Worley and her fiancé Dustin McComas, Kristin Worley and her fiancé Winn Smith, and Travis Burnitt; nieces Carole Green, Ellen Evans and Robin Worley; and nephews Lee, Seth and Edwin Worley. She also leaves behind many, many dear friends. The family would like to thank the staff and loving caregivers at Brookdale Northwest Hills and Brookdale Hospice, with special thanks to Peggy.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd. in Austin.

A celebration of Ann's life will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 15, at Weed-Corley-Fish. A private family burial will be on Saturday morning.

Memorial gifts in Ann's honor may be made to TAEA (Texas Art Education Association) Memorial Scholarship Fund, TAEA Headquarters, 14070 Proton Road, Suite 100 LB9, Dallas, TX 75244.