Frances Louise Colby

Frances Louise Colby was always known among her friends, family and colleagues as a social, happy, engaging individual. At 94 years young, it only seems fitting that she passed on a Friday, after a wonderful Thursday with her daughter, Carol Holmgreen. Fran loved everyone who was a part of her life and certainly adored each and every member of her family and those who were close to her.

The daughter of William Rufus and Kathleen Small Taylor, Fran was born in Dallas on January 3, 1918. She died peacefully in her sleep April 13, 2012. Prior to achieving a business degree at North Texas State Teachers’ College, she graduated as valedictorian of Mabank High School. After moving to Austin in 1957, she worked as a legal secretary for Clark Thomas for over thirty years.

Fran was an active member of the Methodist church wherever she lived. In Austin she was a member of First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, participated in summer musicals, and was chair of the church council the year the board proposed its first million dollar budget —which it made!

An influential woman within the Republican community, Fran was co-founder of Travis Republican Women, a club for working women. As such, she was named one of the Ten Most Outstanding Women by the Texas Federation of Republican Women in 2003. And for her work with the TRW and many branches of the Republican Party, the State of Texas declared that September 25, 2005, was Fran Colby Day, where she was recognized at a gala reception at the State Capitol.

Known as “TuTu” to her grandchildren, Fran spread enjoyment to everyone involved in her life. She loved her husband, Jack, daughters, Carol and Kathy, son-in-law, George, brother, Chick, sisters-in-law, Shirley Taylor and Dorothy Fowler, grandchildren, Ron and Andrew, their wives, Andee and Andrea, and great grandchildren, Payton, Brock and Reese, without end. She was a caring friend to her neighbors on Homedale Circle and appreciated the loving care that she received at Parmer Woods and Buckner Villas. It was seemingly her mission to ensure that everyone, family or friend, experienced the best flavors of life. She’ll be missed tremendously by the many organizations she served and family she loved.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be at 11:00 A.M., First United Methodist Church. Entombment will be 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca, Austin TX 78701; Buckner Foundation, Inc., 600 N. Pearl St., Suite 2260, Dallas TX 75201; or Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78759.