1913
Mary
2012
Mary Helen Nix
July 10, 1913 — February 17, 2012
Harlingen, TX:
Mary Helen Nix died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, the 17th of February. She was born on the 10th of July, 1913 in Denison, Texas, the child of C.D. and Gertrude Kingston. It was in Denison where she received her early schooling from grammar school through junior high. She graduated from high school at Ward Belmont in Nashville, Tennessee and her college degree came from Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri.
In 1936, Mary Helen married the love of her life, Gordon Nix. They were married at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Denison and moved to Harlingen to begin their lives together.
Mary Helen loved Harlingen and the Valley. She was a tireless supporter of the Harlingen Library. Her love and enjoyment of books was demonstrated in the countless book reviews she gave for many years. Not long after the new Harlingen library was built, the Fiction Wing was dedicated to her. At the dedication, she spoke “off the cuff” and had everyone laughing. Her dry sense of humor will be long remembered by anyone who knew her.
Mary Helen was a breast cancer survivor and worked for many years with the “Reach to Recovery” program, going to breast cancer patients in the hospital and encouraging them with her own survival story.
Accomplishments include her work and enjoyment with the North Harlingen Rotary Club and being a charter member of the P.E.O. sisterhood, Chapter BY. She was named “Woman of the Year” by the Business and Professional Women of Harlingen in 1969.
Aside from Mary Helen’s family, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church meant everything to her. She wore just about every “hat” to be had there from teaching Sunday School to being in charge of the Book Store and serving on the Altar Guild and the Vestry. She was a member of the Daughters of the King at St. Alban’s and the first female Senior Warden in the Diocese of West Texas.
Mary Helen loved the Lord and loved to serve others. For that, we are all blessed and grateful. She was preceded in death, not only by her parents, but her brother Will and her husband, J. Gordon Nix. She leaves behind her daughters, Judy Johnson (Tom) and Jeanette Nix and her many friends who feel enriched by knowing her.
A special thank you goes to Martha Gaytan and her wonderful staff that took such loving care of Mary Helen in her last years.
MAY LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON HER.
A memorial service will be held at 2 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, February 21st at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 1417 Austin Avenue in Harlingen.
In lieu of flowers, please remember St. Alban’s Church and the Harlingen Public Library.
Mary Helen Nix died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, the 17th of February. She was born on the 10th of July, 1913 in Denison, Texas, the child of C.D. and Gertrude Kingston. It was in Denison where she received her early schooling from grammar school through junior high. She graduated from high school at Ward Belmont in Nashville, Tennessee and her college degree came from Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri.
In 1936, Mary Helen married the love of her life, Gordon Nix. They were married at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Denison and moved to Harlingen to begin their lives together.
Mary Helen loved Harlingen and the Valley. She was a tireless supporter of the Harlingen Library. Her love and enjoyment of books was demonstrated in the countless book reviews she gave for many years. Not long after the new Harlingen library was built, the Fiction Wing was dedicated to her. At the dedication, she spoke “off the cuff” and had everyone laughing. Her dry sense of humor will be long remembered by anyone who knew her.
Mary Helen was a breast cancer survivor and worked for many years with the “Reach to Recovery” program, going to breast cancer patients in the hospital and encouraging them with her own survival story.
Accomplishments include her work and enjoyment with the North Harlingen Rotary Club and being a charter member of the P.E.O. sisterhood, Chapter BY. She was named “Woman of the Year” by the Business and Professional Women of Harlingen in 1969.
Aside from Mary Helen’s family, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church meant everything to her. She wore just about every “hat” to be had there from teaching Sunday School to being in charge of the Book Store and serving on the Altar Guild and the Vestry. She was a member of the Daughters of the King at St. Alban’s and the first female Senior Warden in the Diocese of West Texas.
Mary Helen loved the Lord and loved to serve others. For that, we are all blessed and grateful. She was preceded in death, not only by her parents, but her brother Will and her husband, J. Gordon Nix. She leaves behind her daughters, Judy Johnson (Tom) and Jeanette Nix and her many friends who feel enriched by knowing her.
A special thank you goes to Martha Gaytan and her wonderful staff that took such loving care of Mary Helen in her last years.
MAY LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON HER.
A memorial service will be held at 2 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, February 21st at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 1417 Austin Avenue in Harlingen.
In lieu of flowers, please remember St. Alban’s Church and the Harlingen Public Library.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Helen Nix, please visit our flower store.