Irene Hopkins Harwood

Irene "Puddin" Hopkins Harwood died on May 6, 2008 after a long battle with several debilitating illnesses. She was 82 years old. At her side was her husband of 54 years, Winston Harwood, her children Cordie Harwood Ewing, Reenie Harwood Collins, Winston Harwood, Jr. and Lucy Harwood Weber. Puddin was born June 18, 1925 in Victoria Texas, the fourth child of Joseph Vincent Hopkins, M.D. and Irene Curran Hopkins. She was educated at Nazareth Academy in Victoria and Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. She graduated with a BA degree from the University of Texas at Austin where she was proud to have been a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She met her husband Winston Harwood on a trip to Acapulco, Mexico in the summer of 1953. After a whirlwind courtship they married that fall and moved to Austin where they have lived ever since. She was a member and past president of the Junior League of Austin. She also was a member of the Seton Development Board for more than 30 years and was an active member of St. Austin's Parish for over 50 years. In 1959 she and her husband founded Harwood Tours and Travel which they operated until 1996. Best known for her delightful sense of humor and many, many friends, Puddin was a great storyteller. She could make even the most mundane or annoying situation into an entertaining story. Among her proudest accomplishments were her children and her grandchildren. Puddin always rejoiced in their victories and grieved for their challenges. Puddin had a long list of friends and relatives she loved just like family. She worked side by with her husband for 40 years. During those years she enjoyed rich friendships all over the world and traveled to more than 100 countries worldwide. She is survived by her husband Winston Harwood, her four beloved children and their spouses, Cordie and Tom Ewing of Houston; Reenie and Kent Collins of Austin; Winston Harwood, Jr., and Lucy and Phil Weber of Washington, D.C.; also by her adored grandchildren James and Katie Ewing of Houston; CeCe, Winston and Tye Collins of Austin; Jenny Duke of San Antonio; and Caroline Weber of Washington, D.C. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Dr. Joseph Hopkins of New Orleans, LA and Richard Rene Hopkins; and her sisters, Mary Charlotte Callaway and Celeste Brown, both of Victoria. The family wishes to thank all of the many relatives and friends who visited her during her long illness, especially her dearest niece, Charlotte Vaughan. Special thanks also to the loving staff at Westminster Healthcare Center, the nurses at Seton Medical Center - especially the fourth floor, the Odyssey Hospice staff and her devoted doctors. Visitation will be held on Friday May 9, 2008 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held in the Weed Corley-Fish Chapel on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. followed by interment at Austin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to The Seton Fund, 1201 W. 38th. Street, Austin, TX 78705. www.setonfund.org. You may visit memorials online at www.wcfish.com.