Stacy was born in Georgetown, Texas on September 27, 1968 to Sandra Vaglienti Winkler and Lester Nelson Fuller (deceased). She touched countless lives with her giving spirit and would light up the room with her smile, her laugh, and her music. If you didn’t know her, chances are, you know someone that does.
Music and a deep personal faith guided her in everything she did and inspired everyone that met her along the way. Her grandmothers played a big part in nurturing her musical talents and passions from an early age. As a young girl, she sang and played the piano and as a teenager she took up the French Horn in the Georgetown High School marching band. When people would ask her who she was she would say, “I’m a horn player.” It was as though the instrument became an extension of her person. Three years in a row, her talent and competitive spirit took her to state competitions, where she shined. Even after graduating high school, her leadership role as first chair to the horn section, Stacy’s influence continued through the years as she kept in touch with everyone and offered wisdom and support.
After graduating Georgetown High school, Stacy went to Texas Tech and later the University of Texas, where she pledged with the Mu Phi Epsilon sorority and played in the wind ensemble. During college and early teaching years she would sit for hours at her kitchen table designing marching band formations. She devoted all her spare time to music, whether playing it or listening to one of her many favorite bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins. Music of all kinds nourished her soul.
She graduated from the University of Texas in 1992 with a degree in Music Education. Stacy took her faith and passion for music into her teaching. For over twenty years of teaching band and choir, she served her students beyond the classroom by being a mentor and support system. No matter what one of her students was tackling at the time, she instinctively understood what they needed and selflessly gave of her time and resources. Every one of “her kids” left her classroom feeling seen and heard. Love is patient and kind, and so was she.
In 2000, she met and fell head over heels in love with her husband, James Curtis. They were wed in 2002, and in 2005, she gave birth to their first child, Cody. That same year she began her work with Covenant Presbyterian Church in their music department. Her work with the church allowed her to truly marry three of her passions -- faith, music, and teaching children. She loved directing the children’s Choristers choir and took great joy in building and directing the youth choir, Journey. It has been said that she especially reached out to “broken birds and helped them to fly”, in reference to young people who were lost or isolated. Stacy instilled in the youth her strong belief that choir wasn’t just about making music or performing but was their opportunity to share their God-given talents for the worship and glory of God.
In 2007, she gave birth to her twins Hayley and Ryan. As in every other stage in her life, she took to mothering with passion and determination. She formed mom groups and began her many years as a volunteer for the Austin Mamas and the Austin Moms of Multiples where she would bring new moms meals and a sympathetic ear. As her children grew, so did the scope of her volunteerism. The Cowan Elementary and Covington Middle School PTAs all benefited from her leadership. Parents would often see her at the schools putting together bulletin boards, being a room mom, and helping to manage the big Cowan spring carnival every year. When her daughter got older, she happily led Girl Scout Troop 70, which meant her house was sometimes full of cookie boxes from floor to ceiling. She was eagerly anticipating her role as the president of the Bowie High School Band Boosters next school year.
Besides her extensive volunteerism and her work with Covenant Presbyterian Church, she also worked as the band director and choir teacher for Veritas Academy. Her aspirations were to continue to grow their band program and nurture a whole new generation of musicians. This past year she helped keep music education fun and exciting for her students, despite the pandemic and the limitations it imposed. Obstacles never stopped her.
As the devoted wife and mom of three, she kept the family running with special calendars and well-thought-out systems that allowed them to thrive and participate in the many activities they loved. She spent most of her days shuttling the kids to plays, recitals, baseball, band events, and various other practices and lessons. Despite her busy work schedule, she always made time to catch up with friends and family. The laws of time seemed to bend to her will, allowing her to be there for so many with such ease and grace. She would be the first person to show up for a friend in need, whether that meant setting up a meal train or meeting for coffee. In everything she did, she lived out her faith—setting a Christ- like example for everyone she met.
She leaves behind her beloved husband of 19 years, James Curtis, and her children Cody (16), Hayley (13) and Ryan (13); her mother Sandra Winkler and Stepfather John Winkler; and her siblings Antone Fuller (Michele Thelen), Robin Stephens (Thomas), and Eric Winkler (Tammy); and many nieces and nephews and cousins. She has a large extended family in League City and Fredericksburg and loved to visit with them as often as she could. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and her father.
She is currently under the care of Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on April 1, 2021, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX. Funeral Service will be held on April 2, 2021, at 1:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Committal Service will be held on April 2, 2021, at 2:30 PM at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, TX. There will be a celebration of Stacy’s life at Covenant once Covid attendance restrictions have been lifted.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the current and future educational needs of Stacy’s children through this GoFundMe link, https://gofund.me/b66763c5. Help keep her spirit of love and faith alive by volunteering your service to others and being a listening ear to those in need.
To join the livestream of the Funeral Service and Committal Service, please click here: https://vimeo.com/event/845422
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you."
~John 14:27
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