Dorothy Estelle Faulkner Nichols

Dorothy Estelle Faulkner Nichols was born in Taylor, Texas on August 8, 1926. She grew up as the middle child of Russell and Estelle Faulkner. As a young girl she rode her horse King Tut when they lived in Taylor, enjoyed Girl Scout Camp, and was a swimming counselor at Camp Waldemar.

After graduating from Austin High and the University of Texas, she was a teacher at Metz Elementary school in Austin.

She married her Austin High School sweet heart, Douglass Young Nichols on August 19, 1950 and they were happily married until his death on July 3, 1998.

Dorothy (AKA "Oscar") was active in the community as a volunteer and member of the Hypatian Sisters, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Austin Junior League, Junior Helping Hand, KLRN Auction, and the Settlement Home for Children.

She made many lifelong friends as a loyal member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority and P.E.O. For over 50 years, she started each week with special friends in her "Monday Coffee Group."

Dorothy set an example for all with her love of life and cheerful spirit. Despite a severe stroke in January 2013, she did not let that slow her down. With a team of devoted caregivers and loving family and friends, she continued to live a life of abundance.

Her last two years of life were spent with many adventures as "Ninny" for her 5 year old grandson, Ben, including parades, dominos, "fish," painting, and "trick or treating." She was active until the end with a trip to the historic Hill Cafe to listen to Happy Horse Band in early November. In the past year she participated in "Wild About Annie's" racing campaign, attending 6 of the 10 horse races at tracks from Houston to Oklahoma City, jauntily dressed in her red or purple hat.

Her handicapped van carried Dorothy and her team on several trips to Rockport where she fearlessly rolled out to the pier's "T-Head" under faithful Frances' hand to enjoy bay breezes.

Dorothy enjoyed her trips to Dallas to see her granddaughter Jackie play soccer and a trip to Fayetteville, AR to see grandson Jake at college last spring. Her last year of life she celebrated with 2 baby goats for young Ben's Easter, a trip to Fredericksburg to buy two new banded cows, and a "blow out" birthday party at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort for her 88th!

She is survived by sons Doug and wife Stephanie, James and wife Debbie and daughter Carol; as well as her grandchildren, Jake, Jackie, David and Ben.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2014 in the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel followed by interment at Austin Memorial Park.

Memorials in her honor can be made to the Delta Delta Delta Foundation, Helping Hand for Children, or the Settlement Home for Children.