Marjorie "Fay" Osborn

March 18, 1926 ~ December 31, 2018

Marjorie "Fay" Helms Osborn was born on March 18, 1926, in Crosby, Texas, and grew up in Hillsboro, Texas. She was the second youngest of seven children, born to Justice of the Peace "Judge" Robert (R.L.) Helms and Marjory Denton Helms.

Fay died on December 31, 2018, from complications of pneumonia and living for 92 well-lived years. She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and sisters, her daughter Laura, and her husband William Earl "Bill" Osborn. She is survived by her daughter Samm Osborn and her grandson Austin Masch Osborn, his wife Cecilia Osborn, and two precious great granddaughters Maya Iselle Osborn and Mila Lucia Osborn, who affectionally refer to her as "Granny the Great." Her strength, intelligence, unconditional love, and sense of humor is what has always held the Osborn family together.

After proudly working for the U.S. Civil Service Commission in Hondo, Texas, during WWII, Fay met Bill Osborn, the love of her life, when she was a nursing student at Baylor and he was in law school. In 1948, women were not allowed to be married and attend nursing school, so Fay dropped out to marry Bill while he finished law school and served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives from Falls County. Fay and Bill had two daughters, Laura and Sherill "Samm". Laura died of leukemia when she was 12 years old and Bill died after a brief illness approximately three years later at age 40. Fay and her daughter Samm were left with a most precious bond and special relationship and friendship for many years to come. She also had a remarkably loving relationship with her only grandchild Austin. For many years, he called her every night, with very few exceptions, to tell her goodnight with their own special poem. He held her hand and said it with her the night she died. All of the Osborns call each other at midnight every New Year's Eve, no matter where they are or what they are doing. This New Year's Eve was sadly difficult and empty.

Fay lived most of her adult life in Austin, Texas, where she worked for the Texas Pharmaceutical Association, the Texas Laundry and Dry Cleaning Association, and the Brothers of the Holy Cross at St. Edwards University. She was a dedicated employee of the Texas State Comptroller's Office for almost 20 years, hired by her hometown friend and former Texas Comptroller and Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock in 1987. She also loved volunteering on Saturdays for several years at St. David's Episcopal Church Next-to-New consignment store, where Austin joined and assisted her when he could. Fay reluctantly retired at age 80 in 2006.

Over the years, Fay graciously enabled her small but very close-knit family to enjoy theatre and shows in Austin, including 30 years of front-row season tickets to their beloved Ballet Austin. The family grew from three to six over the years and they were able to enjoy the Nutcracker all together for the last time just a few weeks ago.

Fay could not have been more loved and treasured and admired by her family, friends, coworkers, and ultimately so many of her caregivers. Thank you to all who loved her so well. She loved you just as well and she definitely did her part in making this world a better place.