Fay Dudney
On Tuesday, March 14, 2017, surrounded by loved ones, Fay Meyer Dudney passed away. Her family is so grateful for her life.
Born and raised in New Ulm, Texas, Fay was a proud sixth generation German Texan. After graduating Columbus High School, Fay continued her education at Southwest Business Institute and later at University of Houston. While working in Houston as a secretary at O. H. Smith Co. Fay met Ned Dudney, who was beginning his residency at Jeff Davis Hospital. Fay and Ned were married in 1949. They moved to League City in 1954, where they planted their roots and raised three children together.
A lifetime gardener, Fay lived her life by the philosophy of ‘bloom where you are planted’. Both she and Ned shared a great love for the people of League City and believed that civic engagement was a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Fay was a woman of faith and active in her church. She was a founding member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.
Fay was an active member and past president of the League City Garden Club. She was especially proud of the dedication of the Bandstand in League Park in 1976, the preservation of our beautiful oak trees all along FM-518, helping with the design and landscaping of Helen’s Garden, and establishing the Oak Tree Registry. This project was a particular passion, which Fay hoped would encourage people to embrace the beauty of the magnificent oaks right on their own property.
Fay cherished history and strived to preserve it. She was a charter member and served as President of the League City Historical Society. She was a member of the Galveston County Historical Commission for over 20 years. Fay helped people appreciate the rich history of League City’s past and worked to help acquire The Texas State Landmark in Walter Hall Park and was an avid supporter of the Butler Longhorn Museum, which opened in 2009.
What Fay wanted to do she did with her whole heart and will along with careful planning and cheerful collaboration. Fay’s lifetime of service was honored when a local nature center in League City was renamed in her and her husband’s honor. In 2009, at the dedication of the “Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Nature Center”, Fay remarked: “I want people to be educated about preserving our environment. We were given this garden to use and sometimes people can lose sight of what a wonderful gift it is. We need to keep some trees and green grass along with a sense of community.”
Fay was an encouraging, respectful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Fay’s husband, Ned Dudney passed in 2010. Fay is survived by her three adult children: Bob Dudney, Gretchen Dudney Stolfo and Vaness Hamilton, whose spouse, Martin Hamilton has been a tremendous support to both Ned and Fay. Fay had seven granddaughters: Rebecca Biega, Joan Dudney, Damara Stolfo, Drew Lindstrom, Miranda Stolfo, Katherine Dudney and Sonia Stolfo. Rebecca and her husband, Dave Thomas, brought two great -grandchildren into Fay’s life: Jasper Ezekiel and Matilda Fay Thomas. Drew and her husband, Ross Lindstrom, brought a third great-grandchild, Vivian Ray Lindstrom. Her loving extended family includes many nieces and nephews and their offspring from both her sister and her husband’s siblings.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the caring staffs of Memorial Hermann Southeast, Clear Lake Regional, The Crossings, and Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital. “Team Work Love” provided in-home care most of the past year. Deep gratitude to Ida, Patti, Maria, Ella, Lyris, Cherelle, Terri, and Annette. Mom’s faithful friends provided support, laughter, and news along the way: Frankie, Sarah, Kathy, Leslye, Peter, Bettie, among others. Our priest, Father Brian, at St. Christopher’s guided Fay along her final path.
The memorial service will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at two o’clock, to be held at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church. If you are able to join the memorial services, we ask that you please wear the colors of spring blossoms to honor Fay. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The University of Texas Medical Branch Ned E. Dudney M.D. Family Medicine Scholarship Fund, Galveston, Texas; The Helen Hall Library, League City, Texas; and The Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Clear Creek Nature Center, League City, Texas.
i am so sorry for your loss. It has been such an honor to get to know your precious mother. Such a delightful and gracious lady. You are in my prayers. Judy
I think almost every single person in League City knew or knew of Fay. I consider myself blessed to have known her. It is said that some people make a room brighter when they enter a room. She was one of those people. She could brighten the entire Astrodome.
Aunt Fay was a beautiful, genteel lady to whom I always looked up and with whom I loved to talk and listen to. She was always a calming spirit in any situation and a perfect mate for Uncle Ned. We miss them both. Dale and Elnora Dennis, Amarillo
Aunt Fay was a beautiful, genteel lady to whom I always looked up and with whom I loved to talk and listen to. She was always a calming spirit in any situation and a perfect mate for Uncle Ned. We miss them both. Dale and Elnora Dennis, Amarillo
Fay was a very dear lady. She will be missed.
Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you. You live on in our hearts.
you mom was a good mom
We are so very sorry for your loss. She is now with her wonderful husband Ned. Beautiful couple. If you look in the dictionary look for the word Lady and Fay’s name will be next to it. Loved her so much. We had many wonderful times together.
She will be missed by so many.
Faye contributed so much to the City of League City. She gave so much to the
Helen Hall Library as a 25 year member of the Library Board and many hours
to the historical room of the library. We miss both Faye and Ned.
Darwin and Emma Lou Gilmore
Gretchen, Vaness & Family, I just learned today and am so saddened to hear of the loss of your amazing mother. I met her only a few times in my life, but each time I had the very strong sense of being in the presence of an amazing spirit. I remember being in your home in League City at some point in my early adulthood and she asked about my life. I was in a transition period and unsure of my next direction. She looked me in the eye and said with great kindness and certainty, “All will be revealed to you in time.” I remember a deep sense of calm came over me, and I felt so grateful to her for her loving presence and wise words, though we barely knew one another. Vaness, we saw one another last year at Gulf Coast Medical – me with my mother, who is disappearing into dementia, and you with your lovely mother. Despite illness and infirmity, Faye still radiated that beautiful, calm, loving grace. She was a fine example to us all for how to live life. My heartfelt condolences, Cathy DiSantis
I was Robert’s secretary in Smackover. I just found out from Jimmy that Aunt Fay passed. I am so sorry. I met she and Ned at Robert’s funeral. Me and my husband came to League CIty and met them at their park. Fay and I e-mailed often about flowers. I still miss Robert and as he called them out gossip sessions. Your family is in my prayers.