Catherine "Nancy" Smith Lukefahr

Nancy Lukefahr was born in 1928 to a pioneer Texas German family in Port Lavaca, Texas, and passed away at home in Brownsville on September 30, 2016. After graduating from Port Lavaca High School in 1945, she attended Incarnate Word College in San Antonio and graduated in 1949 from Texas A&I College with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She would later return to A&I to earn her Masters of Education. After graduation, Nancy moved to Houston and worked as an accountant for Humble Oil, an exceptional position for a woman at that time.

Nancy married Maurice Lukefahr of Bay City, Texas in 1953 and the couple moved to Brownsville the same year. Nancy lived the remainder of her life in Brownsville, where she and Maurice raised their six children. Nancy taught school for decades at various elementary schools in BISD, and also at Villa Maria High School. She was dedicated to teaching and was most proud of helping children from all backgrounds become proficient in reading, writing and math. Nancy became a world traveler, spending time along with Maurice in Nigeria, Brazil, India, Niger and various European and South American countries.

Nancy loved playing bridge and bunco with her many dear friends and remained an avid reader and puzzler until her final few years. The daughter of an artist, Nancy was also a talented young painter and passed her love of art and literature on to others. She was influential in the lives of her children and grandchildren, and was a strong supporter of St. Joseph Academy and Sacred Heart and St. Mary's Schools.

Nancy is preceded in death by Maurice, who died in 2002. She is survived by her six children: Jimmy (Virginia), Bill (Sharla), Mary Lou, Cathy (Creed Abell), Margaret (John Coggeshall), and Lisa; 11 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers Olga Davila, Denise Felix, Torina Rocha, and Laura Vargas, and sincerely appreciates the services of Bee First Hospice.

A memorial service will be held at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home on Saturday, October 8, 2016. Visitation will begin at 2:00, followed by a rosary at 3:00 and a service at 3:30. A private burial in Port Lavaca will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Nancy's memory to the Sacred Heart Church Maintenance Fund in care of Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 1218 E. Jefferson St., Brownsville, Texas 78520.

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