Our Nana, Thelma Austin (Jackie) Fry of McKinney, TX, passed away on July 21, 2020 at the age of 94 in Plano, TX. She was the daughter of Dr. James Harold and Thelma Frances (Wood) Austin in Philadelphia, PA. Jackie was a camper and counselor at the Aloha Hive camp in Ely, VT. She graduated from Ogontz Jr. College in Jenkintown, PA in 1945. Jackie married The Rev. William Warrin Fry on June 15, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA.
Jackie and Warrin lived in the small town of Clarendon TX as newlyweds. They moved to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA, raised their children in Longview and Houston, TX, and later retired in Colorado Springs, CO in 1984. As an Episcopal clergy wife, she spent most of her life as a volunteer including Junior League, Fine Arts Center of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Opera Association, Gleneagle Sertoma Club, and a Docent at the El Paso County parks. She loved the Bear Creek Nature Center where she enjoyed showing off the “critters” to the local children and visitors.
She and Warrin loved to travel and as a family they spent many summers on Cape Cod, MA and Estes Park, CO. After moving to Colorado Springs, their favorite vacation spot became Vail, CO, where her love of mountains (especially Piney Lake) and nature were often shared with her family. She enjoyed hiking and stopping to smell the flowers along the way.
In 2008, she left her mountains and came back to Texas. We were so blessed to have her involved in our lives. She taught three generations the importance of family first as she was always there to help and hug. We learned much from her gentle touch, indominable spirit, her quiet strength, and love of life.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn Kimber (Tryn) Wilson and husband, Keith of Plano, TX; son, William Warrin (Bill) Fry, Jr. and wife, Roxy of Castroville, CA; grandchildren, Jenny Wilson McDonnell and husband, Jeff of Allen, TX; Keith (Bo) Wilson, Jr. and wife, Mary of Dallas, TX; Laura Wilson Rosinski and husband, Josh of Allen, TX; Amy Wilson Hoar and husband, Chad of Allen, TX; Joshua Fry and wife, Nicky of Colorado Springs, CO; Cody Fry and wife, Shayla of Eads, CO; as well as great grandchildren, Jack and Jude McDonnell; Elle, Livy and Nora Rosinski; Pike and Knox Hoar; Alli, Kate and Noah Wilson; Kayla, Maxx, and Ace Fry; and Tucker and Olivia Fry.
Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Warrin, her brothers, The Rev. James Harold Austin, Jr., The Rev. John Brander Austin, sister Caroline Worrell Austin as well as her parents, Dr. Harold and Thelma Austin.
The family will gather next summer in Colorado Springs to place her remains with Warrin at the Grace and St. Stephens Episcopal Church Columbarium.