Angela Estelle Astor

Angela Estelle Garavelli Astor, 98, died at her home October 21 of natural causes. Born March 28, 1918, to Charles Vincent Garavelli (originally from Italy) and Bessie Mae Hill Garavelli, of Memphis. She and her family moved into the house at North Trezevant and North Parkway (in 1930) and she lived there until her death, the oldest continuous resident of Hein Park and a lifelong member of the Hein Park Garden Club and Civic Club.

She graduated valedictorian from St. Agnes Academy in 1936 and from Siena College for Women in 1940. She married Vincent Finis Astor in 1942 and had a happy marriage until his death in 2000.

She was a lifelong volunteer for many organizations. She was a 30 year volunteer for the Memphis Pink Palace Museum and Mallory-Neely House. She volunteered at the Wonders Series, the Memphis Public Library, the Josephine K. Lewis Senior Citizens Center, Brooks Museum of Art, the St. Philomena Guild at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the Orpheum Theatre and Theatre Memphis. She was president of the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary in Memphis when the 1960 wing was constructed and the Pink Ladies volunteer organization was installed. She was past president of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Women’s Club. She also volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Society in Vero Beach, FL, was active at St. Helen Catholic Church there and with the Rosary Society.

Her proudest achievements were receiving the Women of Stamina award for 2006 from Comrades ‘n Community and teaching 4th grade in the Catholic School system from 1964-1972. Her many charities are too numerous to name. She was interviewed about her life for the Crossroads to Freedom Digital Archive at Rhodes College in 2016.

She leaves two sons, Vincent Charles Astor of Memphis and John Jacob Astor of Boynton Beach, FL; two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Interment will be private in the mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Saturday, October 29, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2564 Hale Ave, 38112, or the Monastery of St. Clare, 1310 Dellwood, 38127.