Nancy Smith Hurd

She graduated from Alamo Heights High School and attended Trinity University.

In 1957 she married the late John G. Hurd of Laredo, Texas, who was a widower with four young children. Without complaint, she accepted the task of managing a chaotic household and raising the children.

In 1970 her husband was appointed as Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, where he served until 1975.

Mrs. Hurd was a gracious and talented First Lady of the Embassy during this exciting period in the lives of the family. She was particularly adept at coping with the task of transferring the embassy residence between Capetown and Pretoria every six months.

Mrs. Hurd is survived by her four step-children, J.R. Joanie Hurd, Sara Hurd, Patricia John McGregor, and Victoria Steve Goebel. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, her nieces Martha Railey and Nancy Dahl, nephew Greg Smith and sister-in-law Lillian Smith.

Mrs. Hurd supported numerous philanthropic organizations, including the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research.

She was a long-time friend of the late Walter Mathis and was pleased to serve as an Honorary Trustee of the Villa Finale, a property given to the National Trust for Historic Preservation by Mr. Mathis.

She was also a significant supporter of the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio because of her deep respect for the nurses who care for and tend the sick and wounded and whose work is so beautifully described in the following lines from Sardanapalus by Lord Byron:

"and your last sighs

Too often breathed out in a woman's hearing

When men have shrunk from the ignoble care

Of watching the last hour of him who led them."

MEMORIAL SERVICE

TUESDAY

JULY 20, 2010

11:00 A.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

1110 MCCULLOUGH

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the special attention given to Mrs. Hurd by Avelina Espinoza and her dedicated caregivers, Maria, Mimi, Elizabeth, Cristina, and Emanuel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive or the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research Box 760549.