Nancy Lee Schrag

Nancy Lee Schrag, 83, died peacefully in Settlers’ Ridge Care facility in Celina, Texas. She died of natural causes on December 15. She was born in Waterloo, Iowa on December 9, 1938, to Irene (Masterpole) Schrag and Howard Schrag. She is survived by three brothers, Phillip (Dallas, Texas), Jon (San Diego, California) and Dennis (Wesley Chapel, Florida)

Grandpa Masterpole used to tell a story about Nancy as a very young girl---perhaps age 3 or 4. Grandpa walked out of his house to find all the blooming flowers on the side of the house wacked to the ground. He found Nancy in the flower bed with a stick nearby. He asked Nancy if she knew anything about the flowers. Nancy said no but she saw a little girl from down the street running away. He repeated that story to her for many years.

High School and College and Shoes

She attended Sacred Heart High School in Waterloo, Iowa. She was a student at Clarke (Woman’s) College, Dubuque, Iowa, where she was voted Best Dressed Girl on Campus. She loved shoes. She had a passion for Capezio Shoes. She loved to buy white silk high heel shoes and have them custom dyed to match every outfit. Dad counted over 50 boxes of shoes. She also attended the University of Iowa and Texas Woman’s University.

Chicago

She worked for Marshall Fields Chicago, as an assistant buyer in young women’s wear. In 1961, Nancy was working in Chicago. Jon Schrag was a freshman at Purdue. Jon explained, “We jointly decided to fly to Dallas to see Mom and Dad for the Christmas holiday. Jon flew Lake Central Airways in an old converted World War II DC-3 from Purdue to Chicago. Flying was a first for both Nancy and Jon. O’Hare was hectic. Jon remembered, “We boarded a big time Braniff airplane. We were both nervous to fly on a Lockheed Electra turboprop plane. We had a wonderful Christmas.”

Many years later, Nancy flew to see Jon and Hoa and their family in Tokyo.

In the 1970s, Nancy was a dependable volunteer at The Denton (Texas) State School. She worked with wheel-chair bound women. She wrote letters, played cards, and brought a new face to the routine of the residents.

New House and New Dog

In September 1977, she purchased her brand new home in Allen, Texas. It was an exciting move for her. Her decorating included white leather furniture and flowered fabrics. In the 1980s a hungry white dog showed up on Nancy’s front porch. Efforts to find the dog’s home, failed. Princess made herself at home. Princess was thrilled with Nancy. Nancy was thrilled with Princess. They were the best friends for over ten years.

Transportation

A few years ago, Nancy explained that her wheelchair was not working like it should. “I need a new one.” She demanded. Then she went on, “A girl has to have dependable transportation.”

Nancy had a lifelong fascination with “transportation.” Her dad bought her the most beautiful pink and white Schwinn Starlet bicycle at a young age. It had pinstriping on the fenders and a white leather seat. As a teenager in high school, she got to drive the families new blue and white Oldsmobile Rocket 98. She did have a persistent habit of backing into and over the front driveway post light. It was replaced three times while she was in high school. Finally, it was just removed.

Nancy, with some help from her dad, special-ordered a 1964 Ford Mustang----turquoise with white leather interior. It was one of the first Mustangs. In the 1990s when Jaguar announced a new model Jaguar XJ, Nancy and Mom went to the dealership and bought the smoke blue one on the show room floor. A girl has to have dependable transportation.

She worked at Texas Instruments, Dallas in the accounting department for over 25 years. They gave her a grandfather clock. Dad insisted she take advantage of the TI stock options for employees She did for 25 years. Nancy preferred to spend over save. But she never touched the stock. It was her best financial move for retirement.

Her Mother’s Best Ride. Her Brother’s Best Food Delivery

Nancy was a generous and dedicated companion for her mother later in life. She weekly took Irene to the beauty shop, drug store, grocery store and movies. They enjoyed Tex-Mex lunches and Sizzler steaks for dinner. On Sundays they would drive to Christ the King Church (about an hour away) to attend mass and observe the Braniff family.

She made great efforts to pack up an extra dinner or lunch and deliver it to Phil. He returned her kindness by looking after her automobiles.

Dad and Nancy

Dad loved to retreat to Nancy’s house in Allen, Texas when she was at work. He would mow the yard, paint, repair, exchange stories and beer with her next-door neighbor and take naps. She was “HIS” girl.

Nancy was a devout Catholic.

She was an overly organized detail person. Her files were always labeled, sequenced, and up to date. She hated clutter. She had a box, folder or bin for EVERYTHING. All were labeled. Her favorite store was The Container Store.

Pink and Perfume and Dogs

All her life, she wanted pink flowered bedding and clothes. She was a clean freak. She used too much perfume. Later in life, she daily wore a flower in her hair. She loved dogs. Settlers Ridge has two dogs who live at and visit the residents. She was addicted to Turner Classic Movies, bingo, dominos, and canasta.

For the last 11 years of her life, she was wheelchair bound. She had intense dementia the last year of her life.

She was a kind woman and was a good soul. She lived a good but not always an easy life.

Respects

Due to Covid 19 in Texas, no funeral mass or celebration of life is planned. Her ashes will be interred adjacent to her parents in Calvary Hill, Dallas, columbarium.

Please send your personal remembrances to the charity of your choice or to your local animal shelter.