Lorena Faye Denney

Lorena Faye Denney passed away Friday, April 11th, at her apartment at Brookdale Northwest Hills, Mesa Drive, Austin, TX. Her final days and hours were spent with her son and grandchildren. She left Brookdale draped in the American flag in recognition of her service to this country in the United States Air Force (USAF).

Lorena Faye (Stanford) Denney was born and raised on a farm outside Hico, Texas, June 12th 1924. She was a 5th generation Texan with roots in Travis, Burnet and Williamson Counties. During WWII she was a “Rosie the Riveter” on P-51s and B-17s at the North American plant in Grand Prairie, Texas. In 2024 the group was collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their service in the war. When Air Force duty was authorized for women in 1948, she became a trail blazer joining the Women's Air Force (WAFs) in 1949 and was a veteran of the Korean War working in the 301st Supply Squadron. In 1951 while stationed at Barksdale AFB, LA, she married William J. Denney, also a veteran of the Korean War and later the Vietnam war. After an honorable discharge in 1952 she spent the next 22 years as an USAF spouse stationed at numerous bases including Stead AFB, NV; Hickam AFB, HI; Langley AFB, VA; and finally Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX. She went on to spend thirteen years with the License Registration Section of the Travis County Tax Office where she retired in 1991. In retirement she enjoyed collecting antiques, cookie jars, Barbie dolls (before Barbie was "cool"), Raggedy Anns, etc. Not just a collector, she also spent much time and energy helping stray cats. Above all else she was a loving mother and grandmother.

Faye Denney is preceded in death by her father Aldis C. Stanford, mother Madeline (Goodloe) Stanford, sister Myrtis (Stanford) Hampton, and brothers Woodrow, Darwin ("Dude"), and Jack Stanford. She is survived by her son Richard Denney, and grandchildren Kara and Dillon.

Faye's ashes will be buried in the family plot at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be a small family memorial with military funeral honors. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Austin Humane Society or Austin Animal Center.