Edith Pauline Fenton Sloan McConville

Edith Pauline Fenton Sloan McConville passed away peacefully October 14, 2010 at age 90 in Austin, Texas. Edith was born January 21, 1920 in Oklahoma City, OK, only child of Albert P. Fenton and Pauline M. Hartung.

Edith graduated from Classen High School, Oklahoma City in 1938, attended the University of Oklahoma where she met and married Durwood R. Sloan who preceded Edith in death in 1942. During WWII, Edith served as a volunteer with the Red Cross while putting herself through business school, working, and caring for their son who had been born in Nov.1941.

In 1947, Edith married Hugh J. McConville, a former Marine pilot, and together they had two daughters. As an only child, Edith delighted in becoming part of Hugh’s extended family that included his seven brothers & sisters plus their spouses. Every holiday meant a big family gathering with dozens of nieces & nephews. Their 44 years of marriage were spent back and forth between Oklahoma City and Dallas as Hugh’s career with FNMA moved the family.

Following Hugh’s retirement in 1974, they enjoyed traveling, golfing, fishing, camping, and in 1979 built a home on the golf course at Hideaway Lake near Lindale, Texas. There they made lots of friends, hosted lots of parties, and enjoyed life together. Following Hugh’s death in 1991, Edith lived an active life at Hideaway until 2006 when she moved to a retirement community in Austin near her children & grandchildren.

Edith’s talents and skills were many including needlepoint, sewing & knitting. She received an honor award for knitting hundreds of lap-robes for residents at a nursing home in Lindale, TX near Hideaway. She always gardened, loved flowers and had a “green thumb” that extended to growing wonderful tomatoes & vegetables as well. For years she took flowers from her yard to the Ladies golf clubroom at Hideaway every Tuesday for their golf day. Edith was also a talented artist who hand-painted all their Christmas cards one year! She was an excellent cook and hostess who had holiday decorations for every season and loved parties. Edith & Hugh enjoyed dancing together, and she always kept a pair of comfortable high heels ready with smooth soles that she called her “dancing shoes.”

Edith was always happy when helping others as well as her family. When her children were young, she was a scout leader, baked cakes, cookies for school events, and her pralines were famous! She served in community groups, including as a respected scorekeeper at the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament in Dallas for years, and as president of Brookhaven CC Women’s Golf Association. She volunteered at church, serving in Dallas as Altar Guild Directress, and at Holy Family in Lindale by keeping a vigil on First Friday faithfully for years until she moved to Austin.

Edith is survived by son Philip Roger Sloan of Cibolo TX, daughter Anne McConville Severson and spouse Craig of Austin TX, daughter Catherine McConville Gambrel of Austin TX, grandson Charles Roger Sloan of Cibolo TX, grandson Brett McConville Gambrel of Pflugerville TX, grandson Jeffrey Craig Severson and spouse Jayme of Austin TX, granddaughter Layne Catherine Severson of Austin TX.

Edith was laid to rest on October 18, 2010 at a private family service in Sacred Heart Church’s Calvary Cemetery next to Hugh in his hometown of Wilburton, OK. Anyone desiring to send a remembrance in Edith’s memory may do so either to Hospice Austin or to a charity of their choice.