NELL STERQUELL WINTERS was gathered to heaven on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. The former Nell Mildred Sterquell was born January 22, 1927 in Waco, Texas, to U. C. Sterquell and the former Mary Louise Henley. Mr. Sterquell was Vice President and General Manager of the Cooper Company, a wholesale grocery concern, until his death in 1947. Mrs. Sterquell was a homemaker. Educated in the Waco public schools, Nell attended Baylor University for two years, and graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, concentrating on Radio and Communications. She also sang live radio commercials. While in Austin, Nell joined the Delta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. A very active alumna, she was later president of the Alpha Delta Pi Houston Alumni Association, as well as president of the Alpha Delta Pi State Chapter from 1964 to 1966. Nell received the Ruth Pretty Palmer Panhellenic Alumna Award in 1996, and the Diamond Circle award in 1997. At U.T., Nell met her future husband, Francis G. Winters, of Houston. They were married June 11, 1949, and located permanently in Houston. Once in Houston, Nell became very active with not just her own sorority, but the Houston City Panhellenic Organization. She was president of Houston City Panhellenic Organization in 1972-1973. Having 3 daughters as alumni of 3 different sororities, Nell managed to stay active in 3 different Mothers' Clubs! With her degree in Fine Arts, Nell was very knowledgeable and interested in the arts. She was a docent of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts for 14 years, served on the fund-raising committee of the Houston Opera, and was also a frequent attendee of the Houston Symphony, the Alley Theatre and T.U.T.S. Nell had a strong sense of commitment to serve her community. Her primary community service organization was her beloved Blue Bird Circle. She joined the Blue Birds in 1973, becoming President in 1984-1985. A tireless volunteer at the Blue Bird Circle Resale Shop and the Blue Bird Circle Neurosensory Clinic for Children, she was known for the beautiful Blue Bird Easter baskets she produced, as well as the exquisite Blue Bird Easter eggs she helped create. An eager traveler, Europe, Asia and Africa were thoroughly explored, as were the United States and Canada. Nell was fearless as a tourist, and would ride anything, including a camel, an elephant and a Harley! She particularly loved spending time at the family cabin outside of Estes Park, Colorado. Her favorite time of year there was when the aspen turned gold. Nell was a busy lady--between raising her family and serving in her organizations, she still found time for at least 3 bridge groups. She was frequently Bridge Chairman for the Houston Racquet Club Women's Association. A very able and aggressive player, she won high point on a regular basis. Her bridge skills tranferred flawlessly to highly competitive games of Hearts with her family--she gave no quarter, even with her own children! She was also a devoted life-time member of the Memorial Drive Garden Club, although her azaleas and roses didn't seem to always do what she wanted them to do. Mrs. Winters was a Delphean, a member of the Samuel Sorrell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a member of the Colonial Dames of America. She was also a fixture with the Campfire Girls, being a former Chairman of the West District, and Girl Scouts. Nell was also a former House Chairman of the Board of Holly Hall Retirement Community. In her spare time, she enjoyed crewel work and needlepoint. A long-time member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Nell fell in love with the new sanctuary of St. Martin's Episcopal Church. A tireless explorer of the churches and cathedrals of Europe, Nell was drawn to the resemblance of St. Martin's to St. Elizabeth's Cathedral on the outside, and the Chartre Cathedral in the interior. A lively and funny lady, Nell was very active socially all her life. She was a gracious and (apparently) effortless hostess, whose parties and functions were always enjoyable. She created a beautiful, comfortable, welcoming home; it was always a pleasure to spend time there. She'll be sorely missed. She is survived by her husband, Francis, three daughters: Ann Winters, Susan Hemfelt (all of Houston), and Dr. Janice Price, her son-in-law Dale Price (both of Winters, Texas), 3 grandchildren: Kathryn Hemfelt (of McKinney, Texas), Kristin Serres and husband Tom (of Austin, Texas), and Robert Hemfelt (of Houston), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces & grandnephews, and her sisters-in-law, Betty Wright Sterquell of Amarillo, Bettye Winters and brother-in-law W.G. Winters Jr. of Houston. Family visitation will be at George Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, Houston, 713-789-3005, on Sunday, July 1, 2007, from 5 pm to 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, 713-621-3040, on Monday, July 2, 2007, at 2 pm. Reception to follow at Bagby Parish Hall. Private burial service will be held after the reception. Wear blue, Nell's favorite color, to help the family celebrate her life! Pallbearers will be: John M. Billingsley, Robert G. Hemfelt, Brian Hines, Dale K. Price, J. C. Sterquell, Steve W. Sterquell, Steve W. Sterquell II, R. Andy Udden, W. G. "Bill: Winters III. In lieu of flowers, Nell's family requests donations in her name to the Blue Bird Circle, to St. Martin's Episcopal Church for the benefit of the Order of St. Luke the Physician, to Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church's Pastoral Care Fund, or the American Leukemia Association. The family extends their deepest thanks and appreciation to Valerie Robbie and Racquel Robbie, for their tender, loving care of Nell. In addition, the family thanks the doctors and staff of Methodist Hospital, Rev. Vicki Jones of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, and Rev. John Graham & Rev. John Bentley of St. Martin's Episcopal Church. .

Published in Houston Chronicle from June 28 to June 30, 2007