Nan Gullahorn

Nan Marie Smith Gullahorn, born February 10, 1920, completed her journey with us on September 14, 2008.BR

What can you say to condense a remarkable life into a final goodbye If you knew her, you likely found her engaging and delightful. Always willing to be a help to anyone, to the end she remained gracious, humorous and as sociable as she could be.

BRBorn in Slidell, Louisiana, she remained a proud Louisiana girl throughout her life. An award winning debate team member in high school who worked in Washington for her Congressman from Louisiana, she cooked a mean duck gumbo, played bridge with the best of them, was a long-time member of Central later First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene, before she moved to Austin in 1999.

BRNan loved people. She took jobs that put her in peoples lives: the welcome wagon for newcomers; a face-to-face surveyor for a public interest research firm; a real estate broker; a Republican block walker and volunteer poll worker; a Pink Lady hospital volunteer; and for decades the teacher for Earnest Workers Sunday School Class.

BRMarried in 1945 to Wallace Sentell Gullahorn, who predeceased her in 1966, Nan leaves her family as a legacy: her children, son Jack and wife Patti Gullahorn of Austin, and daughter Claire and husband Steve Meador of Santa Fe, New Mexico; her grandchildren Katie Gullahorn and husband Evan Baker of Albuquerque, Ryan Gullahorn of Denver, Andy Gullahorn and wife Jill of Nashville, Daniel Gullahorn of Sacramento, and Kristin Gullahorn of Austin; and great grandchildren Drew, Adie and Tyler Gullahorn of Nashville, Cierra and Gavin Tolman and Jacy Kitchens of Austin, and Alma Baker of Albuquerque. Her dear cousin Anne Clerc, who was more like a sister to Nan, survives her and now lives in Virginia. Additionally Nans extended family included long time friend and companion, the late Morris Miller of Albany, as well as many dearly loved cousins and in-laws, most of whom find their roots somewhere in Louisiana.

BRLife plays its own games with us while we are here, and Nan certainly experienced a wide variety of what this life had to offer. When the crippling memory destroyer that so many are facing robbed her of the right words to speak, you could always get her to sing, or recite her favorite poems. When walking became too much, she loved to take rides anywhere, and loved directing whoever had the honor of pushing that wheelchair.

BRNan left us with many teachings about life: the importance of words, the love of poetry, the joy of family, the passion for reading and the value of character. We cannot, will not, forget what she taught us all. We will miss her greatly.

BRThe family will hold a memorial service in Abilene on Thursday, September 25th at 11 AM at the Perkins Chapel, First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene with a private interment to follow for the family.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers any remembrances might be directed to VinCare Services of Austin http:vincare.org, for St. Louise House which provides transitional housing for homeless mothers with children, or a charity of your choice that offers hope and help for families and children.

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