Olga Moore

- Acts 20:35

We love because he first loved us.

- I John 4:19

Olga Laverne Moore, née Fricke—Gaga to most of her grandchildren—was born in Fort Worth, Texas on November 23, 1923. She died at home in Sugar Land, Texas on February 1, 2023. She was 99 years old.

In her long life she was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and, finally, a great grandmother. She was also a dear friend to so many people. All who have known her consider themselves lucky to have had her in their lives.

Olga grew up in a family of modest means during the great depression, an experience that imprinted upon her a life-long tendency toward frugality. She would tell a story of how her father, when they were still living among the rolling hills of North Texas, would turn off the engine of their car when they reached a downward slope, in order to to save gas, not to turn it on until it rolled to a stop or they had to go uphill again. Even years later, after her husband had made enough money to afford them a lavish lifestyle, she still made a ritual of clipping coupons, bargain shopping, and saving rubber bands, twist ties, and any other small object of minor utility that most would consider trash.

But her frugality was tempered by a cross-current of great generosity, and an open and kind personality, full of sly humor and sprightly congeniality, that touched everyone who knew her, or even encountered her briefly. She had a dazzling inner beauty that was matched by her comely outward appearance. She was also a devout Baptist, who quietly lived out Christ’s teachings of compassion and love more completely than many who are loud in their faith.

While still a child, her family moved to Houston. Her father was a grocer and they lived in an apartment above his store. She attended Sam Houston High School, where she excelled in English. She had a way with words and beautiful penmanship. She graduated in 1941, not long before the United States entered World War II—another global event that would shape her character and worldview. She met her husband, Jesse Lecher Moore, while he was stationed at Ellington Army Airforce Base, where her brother Charles was also in the service. They were married before the war’s end.

After the war, while Jesse started his business, operating an oil well servicing rig around Houston, Olga played her part, manning the phone from the GI house in which they lived and caring for their children. Their first child, Gary, was born in 1944. Four more would follow: Ronny, Vicky, Terry, and Jess.

Her children remember her as the quintessential mother, the glue that held the family together. She loved her family and expressed her love in words of support and reassurance and with acts of tenderness and care—an important counterbalance to her husband, who was reticent in his love. She was a natural nurturer and spent her life caring for other people.

As Jesse’s business success increased, they moved into a house on South Braeswood, and later to Memorial. Between her and her domestic helper and dear companion, Maggie Cooper, she made everything happen in the house. No one can quite recall how many Cadillacs Olga wore out driving her children around town to lessons in dance, music, etiquette, tennis, swimming—all the functions an upper-middle-class family of the era felt important—but it was a lot of Cadillacs. She also made sure the family attended church and Sunday school every week. Her other ritual, and the portion she reserved for herself, was her weekly bridge game, where she exhibited a level of competitiveness and guile that many would never have expected her capable of.

The golden years of her life brought loss and heartache, but through it all Olga maintained her open, generous, and optimistic spirit. Her husband’s business declined, significantly diminishing their fortune. Her daughter Vicky and her son Terry both died in their 40s. Her grandchildren Matthew and Lulu also perished well before their time. She cared for her mother at home until her death and provided the same care to her husband as his health failed. What she offered to them at the end of their lives was what she offered all along: love and tenderness in the bosom of home and family. That she should be cared for in the same way by her youngest son Jess, his wife Patricia, and their children, Joey, Jesse, and James, is a testament to the love she gave them—it was reflected back in kind.

Olga’s kindness was not exclusive. She extended it to her wider family, her friends, the friends of her children, and grandchildren, opening her doors to all with the same warmth and hospitality. Even if she didn’t like someone very much, she still treated them with decency. She lavished her grandchildren with kisses, presents, and sweets. She was particularly insistent that they eat ice cream when they were visiting her. Hardly a soul could enter her door without being pressured to enjoy cookies, ice cream, or to make a “Dagwood,” her preferred term for a sandwich. She wanted to make sure everyone was happy and well fed. She kept her home open and stocked and in good condition, not for herself, but as a haven for her family. She stayed up late every night, watching old movies, and kept the lights on for those she loved.

Olga is preceded in death by her parents Myrtle and Erie Fricke, her brother Charles Fricke, her husband Jesse Letcher Moore, her children Vicky and Terry, and her grandchildren Matthew and Lulu. She is survived by her sons Gary, Ronny, and Jess and her daughter-in-law Patricia; eight grandchildren: Wylie Moore, Julie Moore-Jones, Aaron Seward, Forrest Seward, Lee Moore, Joey Moore, Jesse Moore, and James Moore, and six great grandchildren. All of them miss her dearly.

The family would like to acknowledge Vitas Agency, especially Augusta, the registered nurse, Nikki the aide nurse, and Chris the chaplin. Olga grew fond of her crew @ Vitas, and she loved them dearly and started to see them as family.

The family would also like to acknowledge Alyssa Matthews, Jesse's Fiancée. Alyssa was always there for Olga when Patricia had to step-out. Alyssa was always so patiently good with Olga. and Alyssa always made sure Olga got to see baby every day, because Alyssa knew that's what made Olga happy.