Helen Nadene Hudson

H Nadene Hudson, having lived 88 wonderful years here on earth, has been called by the angels to join her beloved husband, Robert (Bob), Father, Ross and Mother, Mary Ellen (Drake) Mays ( all predeceased).

Nadene was born in Madison Kansas, where her Father and Mother along with 2 sisters, Shirley Van Sickle (husband Raymond) & Donna Curry (husband, Jack, predeceased) lived in a small house that didn’t have electricity or running water. She went to a small country school and helped around the house milking cows, chopping wood, stacking hay and even hunting and fishing! In school, she was active in 4-H and was once voted the Queen of the Lyon County Fair!

She met her one and only love, Bob at Kansas State Teachers College, where she attended night classes while working days at Hallmark Cards. They appeared together in a musical stage show in college, began dating and were married two years later for an amazing 59 years long marriage!

Nadene is survived by her two children, Steve (wife Melanie) & Brad (partner Linda); her two grandchildren Lauren (partner Wayne and great grandson Rain) & Nicholas Hudson, extended family Debbie & Christopher (wife Marisa) Gordon, and various cousins, nieces, nephews & greats.

As kids were growing older, Nadene became a Librarian and spent several years working at a middle school in Austin, then 10 years at an elementary school in San Antonio. She was well respected by both students and staff and made the most extravagantly decorated bulletin boards. “Those 10 years were the most rewarding experience of my teaching career!” she often said.

She also spent a lot of time traveling with Bob, sometimes for his work, but other times on vacation to exciting places such as Australia and New Zealand. They also traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Curacao and various places in Europe. She enjoyed cruising as well as land travel.

Throughout their marriage, they moved many times. Living in places like Kansas, Illinois, St. Louis, Minnesota, St Louis (again), Austin, Cleveland (for 9 months) and San Antonio. Nadene made many dear lifelong friends along the way.

However, once Bob retired, they settled down at a beautiful lake house in Highland Haven TX, where they became active in their church and local community. Nadene had a voice like an angel and sang with the church choir for many years, even singing a few duets with Bob. She also enjoyed crafting and re-creating recycled greeting cards with her church group. The church would then donate any proceeds to various charities. Nadene was very creative with the cards and many looked upon her creations as works of art. She and Bob also delivered Meals-On-Wheels in the community for several years.

She relished spending time with her family; often taking care of her grandchildren whenever the parents needed a break. Her favorite time of year was Christmas, when her entire family would gather together for the Holidays. This past Christmas, her whole family (11 in total!) were able to visit, bringing along her new great-grandson to celebrate the holidays. We will miss Nadene tremendously, but treasure the many years of memories we've had with her.

The family will be having a small gathering of close friends and family later this month.