Mildred Irene Adams Caskey

Mildred Caskey passed away peacefully at Christopher House on Tuesday, July 15 after a valiant battle with breast and ovarian cancer. She was born Mildred Irene Adams, the third of five children to Fred and Irene Adams on October 20, 1921 in Longview, Texas. Mildred shared many colorful stories from her childhood about the East Texas oil boom, a roadblock for Bonnie and Clyde on Hwy 80 in front of their house, and hardships of the great depression. She graduated from Longview High School and Kilgore Junior College. During World War II, she served as a Civil Defense League communications volunteer going to businesses and homes with news and alerts regarding the war. In February 1946 she met Mike Caskey, an army artillery captain, just returned from three years overseas. They married on August 18, 1946, and soon after moved to Austin, a city they loved and made their home. In 1948 they joined University Presbyterian Church remaining lifelong active members. Mildred especially enjoyed the music and being involved in the Women's Circle for sixty years. In 1951 and 1952 sons Steve and Stan were added to the family. Mildred was a devoted mother and very involved in their schooling, sports, scouting, and church life. Mimi, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, loved being a grandmother, and supported Adams, Campbell and Katie in their school and sports activities. Mildred was a wonderful hostess, a terrific cook, a gardener with a bright green thumb, and an avid bridge player. Their home was always open to family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who dropped by. Trying new recipes and entertaining at home delighted Mildred and her wonderful dishes were the highlight of many a dinner party. One of her favorite events was an annual Easter egg hunt in the backyard of their Tarrytown home for the children of family and friends. She and Mike also enjoyed playing bridge and celebrating birthdays at the Austin Club. Mildred exemplified charity in action, serving others cheerfully. For years, she took surplus flowers several times a week from Tarrytown Florist to the Rebecca Baines Johnson Retirement Center. Her gift of hospitality also extended to international UT students, even having some live with the family. She also served in many organizations including Readers Guild, Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Austin Garden Club and the Fiji Mothers Club. In later years Mike and Mildred traveled extensively in North America and Europe, often taking long driving trips to visit relatives and friends. They took several trips with Mike's army unit to Europe tracing their movements during World War II. They also loved to vacation and entertain friends at their South Padre Island condo where Mildred always treated their guests to a shopping excursion across the border to exercise her bargaining skills. Mildred is survived by her husband of 62 years, Mike Caskey, son Steve and wife Kathy and their son Adams, son Stan and wife Laura and their children Campbell and Katie. She is also survived by her sister Elizabeth Stevenson, brothers and sisters-in-law Joe and Sarah Caskey, Red and Carolyn Nelson, Bess Rhodes, and Mary Adams, fifteen nephews and nieces and numerous cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers Fred and Joe and sister Catherine; brother in law Charles; sister in law Jane Adams and niece Jenny Crane. The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff of Hospice Austin and Christopher House for their compassionate care in the last months of her life. Countless friends also provided support during this time. Special thanks to Yara who has been a constant support for Daddy Mike and Mimi. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University Presbyterian Church or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. There will be a private family burial followed by a memorial service at University Presbyterian Church, 2203 San Antonio St., on Friday, July 18th, at 10:00 a.m. Free parking at the Coop Parking Garage. Parking assistance available. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com