Julia Ann McNabb

Our much beloved Julia Ann “Jan” Tomforde McNabb passed away much too soon after a battle with dementia on April 3, 2024 at the age of 71.

Jan was born on September 12, 1952 in Houston, Texas to the late Jody and Mike Tomforde. She spent her childhood days with her Hunters Creek Elementary sisters and her summers visiting her grandparents, the late Fleet and Chester Wynne, in Tyler Texas, and in the Hill Country as an Aztec at Camp Waldemar. In her youth Jan also traveled the United States and abroad with her family, including her older sister, Susan Thomas, and her little brother, James “Jim” Tomforde, seeing the world through the back seat of a fast car driven by her father – an amateur race car champion. She attended Southern Methodist University where she earned a Bachelors in Psychology and was an active member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. While home over school break her junior year she was set up on a blind date with the late John “Scott” McNabb. She proceeded to win several rounds of pool and it was love. While she studied abroad in Spain they corresponded by writing and he would send her music lyrics in his notes, cementing their bond. They married on September 14, 1974 in Houston, TX, where they returned to live for the next seven years before moving to Austin in 1981 where they raised their family.

Jan truly had a servant heart that was first recognizable in her work with Harris County’s differently abled youth in her 20s. Jan and Scott’s daughters, Fleetwood Wynne and Allison Claire, made their family complete. After becoming a homemaker, she continued to contribute to her community through her work in various non-profits, including ACTV, The Umlauf Sculpture Garden, The University of Texas’ Harry Ransom Center, The Junior League of Houston, The Junior League of Austin and the Pi Beta Phi Alumni. Jan’s daughters and grandson, Staiger, have followed in her example of volunteerism and civically minded contributions.

Jan and Scott shared a passion for great music, dogs and driving. The Beatles were her favorite. They were front row in the Erwin Center, Backyard, Austin Music Hall and various other venues for any of their favorite musicians that came through town, catching many guitar picks and collecting hundreds of ticket stubs. They started taking their daughters to music in 1991, passing on their affinity for live performances, including enjoying the infant years of the Austin City Limits Music Festival as a family. Canine children were a constant in the McNabb home, starting with Stanley who Scott had adopted when they were dating, followed by Pudin, Rocky, Angus, Gabe, Bertha and Jilly. They thoroughly enjoyed their “grand puppies” as well: Peers, Canis, Fleet, George and Brownie. Until the day she lost her drivers license, Jan enjoyed “beating people off the line” in her “mom” car and always clocked her long-distance drives.

The McNabb home always welcomed friends with margaritas and amazing food that Jan marinated and Scott grilled. They had a Mardi Gras tradition that began with riding in the Galveston Mardi Gras parade and continued with annual parties at their home in Austin. Their hospitality continued after their retirement to Fredericksburg in 2006, where they regularly entertained neighbors and Jan enjoyed hosting Mahjong. Jan was active in Memorial Presbyterian Church while living in Fredericksburg.

Jan was a world traveler, seeing Europe and Africa in college and coming full circle traveling with her children and grandson, Staiger, in Europe in her 60s. She loved swimming with friends and family in the ranch pool or in the Caribbean Ocean, and in her last few years enjoyed trips to the U.S.V.I.

She is survived by her daughters, Wynne McNabb Cunningham of Dallas, and Allison McNabb Caldwell and her husband Chris of Frisco; and grandson, Staiger Alan Cunningham. Also, she is survived by sister, Susan Thomas, brother James “Jim” Tomforde and his wife Leigh, and her brother-in-law Al Peterson; and her nieces and nephew, and great-niece and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John “Scott” McNabb; parents, Mr. And Mrs. Albert Michael Tomforde, Jr.; mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Staiger McNabb, Jr.; sister-in-law, Lynn McNabb Peterson; and nephew Brock Tomforde.

A memorial service will be held so that friends and family can celebrate Jan’s life on April 25th at Houston Country Club. Please let Wynne or Allison know if you can attend.

To pay tribute to Jan’s huge heart for animals, in lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Hill Country SPCA, 2981 S. State Hwy 16, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, www.hillcountryspca.com.