Nancy Bernice Macken

A fourth-generation Austinite, Nancy was born on June 16th, 1953, to Joe P. Macken and Martha Wilson Macken. Dad was the “city boy” and Mom the “country girl” and her childhood was blessed by features of both worlds. Many a happy day was spent at the Mill Pond in Burnet County, where Nancy and her brother Pat learned the fine art of cane-pole fishing from their mother and grandmother “Mam-Maw” Wilson. Her entertainment skills were first honed at the birthday and holiday gatherings held by her parents.

Nancy and Pat had many fine role models in their family. Their grandfather, Joe J. Macken, an excavation contractor, dug the foundations for several downtown and UT buildings and dredged out Barton Springs pool in 1926 using one of Austin’s first steam shovels. Grandfather John Owen Wilson played major league baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals. He still holds the record for the most triples hit in a season.

Nancy attended St. Louis Catholic School and graduated from Lanier High School where she was a multi-sport athlete. She was also elected Funniest in her senior class at Lanier and won the school talent show playing the famous Charwoman character from The Carol Burnett Show. She went on to receive a tennis scholarship to The University of Texas, where her talent, dedication, and competitive spirit helped shape the path ahead.

After graduation, Nancy became a tennis professional, teaching lessons for the Austin Recreation Department as well as in private. She later began a long and meaningful career with the Texas Legislature, first serving as Senate Calendar Clerk under Betty King in 1977.

Nancy next worked for Bob Kelly at the Legislative Council, serving as liaison to the Senate. She returned to the Senate as Committee Clerk for the State Affairs Committee. Her final position before retirement was as Director of Correspondence for Lt. Governor Ratliff.

Nancy was a tap dancer and a smooth two-stepper. She was also a star at Senate parties, memorably playing a buxom Dolly Parton with a bust of balloons. She and Katherine Staat were part of a group of spoon players every year at the Senate Christmas party.

Nancy was truly the hostess with the mostest. She loved bringing people together for dinner and she threw the very best costume parties on Halloween. She was truly the perfect Gemini. Nancy was a dedicated professional and a wild, crazy girl, bringing both excellence and unforgettable spirit to everything she did.

Nancy’s friendship with Katherine Staat began in 1977 while they were both working for the Senate, and 23 years ago they became life partners. After Nancy’s retirement, they traveled the United States in RVs, embracing adventure wherever they went. They ziplined in Colorado, snowshoed in Bear Creek, and went deep-sea fishing off Vancouver Island in Tofino. Nancy held Tofino record for the 60lb halibut caught for quite some time. She also loved fishing for catfish and then frying them up for her lucky dinner guests. She also enjoyed many bay-fishing trips with friends in Port Aransas. They frequently made trips to D.C. to visit Staat’s Uncle Herbert. Her favorite place was the beach, whether in Port Aransas, Hawaii, or at The Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale.

Nancy attended many events with the gay community in Austin, a community filled with some of the most interesting, talented, and unique people anywhere. Each person brought their own aspirations, gifts and spirit, and Nancy and Staat were exceptionally lucky to be a small part of that large and vibrant community.

When Nancy was diagnosed with congestive heart failure during COVID, she was cared for by a special team of doctors at St. David’s Heart Hospital. Nancy and Staat became familiar faces to her doctors and nurses, who came to know them through countless appointments, procedures and hospital stays. Even as Nancy grew weaker, she kept her wonderful sense of humor. She was met with compassion, skill, and kindness from the nurses. Staat was her devoted caregiver through the last years of Nancy’s life. Nancy took her last breath in the ICU at St. David’s Heart Hospital, surrounded by loving family and friends. There are no words to fully express the love and care the doctors and nurses gave Nancy.

She was preceded in death by her parents and survived by her life partner, Katherine Staat; her brother, Patrick Macken and his wife Lisa Couvillon; and many cousins and dear friends.