In Memory

Merry Nell Van Fleet (Drummond)



 
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07/15/12 04:34 PM #1    

Charles "Hop" Fuhrmann

Merry Nell Drummond Merry Nell Van Fleet Drummond, 64, died at home on March 3, 2010. She believed that her purpose in life was to shine like the star of Bethlehem-- to point people to Jesus, who heals minds, emotions, bodies, and spirits in response to prayer. Merry Nell was born on October 18, 1945 to Robert Owen Van Fleet and Mary Jenell McClaugherty in the dusty oil boom town of Freer. She graduated from Alamo Heights High School where she was voted "Most Optimistic." She was accepted into Plan II at the University of Texas at Austin and majored in Latin American Studies. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts with highest honors. When she successfully ran for Student Assembly, her campaign slogan was, "There's Sunshine Ahead." During the summer of 1965, she was selected to participate in the Texas Chilean Leadership Exchange Program. There she met Clif W Drummond, her husband-to-be and fellow UT student. They were married at sunset on September 9, 1967 at St. Luke's on the Lake in Austin two years to the day after their first kiss. She had a diverse career-- as a public school teacher, a Bible study teacher and scholar, and a resource development officer for the Medical Institute for Sexual Health. She was on the national board of advisors for Philanthropy World. In 1981, at the age of 35, she had her first bout with breast cancer. The cancer returned in 1984. Merry Nell experienced 23 years of remission, which she completely credited to God answering the prayers of her friends. In 1995, she and Hazel Miller co-founded Bosom Buddies, a Christ-centered breast cancer support group. The group meets at Westlake United Methodist Church. In 2007, the cancer came back again. Merry Nell would like to thank John Sandbach, M.D. and Lisa Painter, N.P. at Texas Oncology, as well as Dan Booser, M.D. at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for their excellent and compassionate care. Merry Nell is survived by her husband, Clif Drummond; her daughter, Megan Willome and husband John of Fredericksburg and their children, Scott and J.J.; her son, Dylan Drummond and wife Amy of Austin and their children, Brooks, Madison, and Kennedy; her mother, Mary Jenell Hensley of San Antonio; her sister, Vanita Fowden and husband Mark of Cheyenne, Wyoming. A memorial service was held Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at First Evangelical Free Church in Austin. Her remains were laid to rest at Remembrance Gardens at Riverbend. Funeral arrangements were handled by Harrell Funeral Homes. Memorials in honor of Merry Nell and her service to Christ and others may be made to the following charities: The Good Samaritan Center, of Fredericksburg; St. Francis Anglican Church, of Austin; Laity Renewal Foundation, of Kerrville; The Smile Never Fades, of Austin; and Bosom Buddies (c/o St. Francis Anglican Church).


07/15/12 06:15 PM #2    

Thad Dorsey

Thanks Hop for the posting. Mary Nell was the first girl I ever went steady with back in the day we traded silver "Disk" engraved necklaces - I think it was the 6th or  7th grade. So she has a very special place in my heart. 


01/16/13 06:58 PM #3    

Carol Conway (McGuire)

Merry Nell and I remained good friends until her final days.  She will always be remembered as a smart, fun, enthusiastic human being.  She was like part of my family and my parents adored her.  I miss her.


01/16/13 07:55 PM #4    

Arlene Ross (Wurzburg)

Merry Nell was admired and loved by many. We ALL miss her! 

Thank you, Hop, and Thad for these postings.

 

 


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