Lucette Topper

Lucette Marianne Topper
French born, Lucette Marianne Topper, passed peacefully in her home on April 15th, just shy of her 89th birthday. The second of six children, she was born on April 22,1923. Lucette came to the United States as a young bride with her handsome Captain in the United States Army. The oil and gas business brought them to Houston in the late 40's, where they led an active life. She and her husband traveled extensively and her adept knowledge of languages proved invaluable. She embraced every opportunity to use her French and was involved with the Consulate Corps and was Vice President of the Alliance Francaise, acting as President for the sister city, Nice-Houston, a founding member of the Women of Baylor Ten, an advocate and fundraiser for the Alley Theatre, member of the American Museum Society, El Club Continental (her Spanish Club), Lakeside Country Club, The Houston Club and The Petroleum Club of Houston. She had a keen eye and passion for antiques, loved gourmet cooking , entertaining, travel and especially, playing bridge .
With the untimely death of her husband , widowed at a young age, she elegantly assumed a role that she never anticipated and which she filled with strength and grace. Surrounded by the support of her children, extended family and close friends, she became the inspiration for her young family.
Choosing a different pace,she moved to San Marcos, Texas, in the early 90's, where she was welcomed with open arms. She continued to enjoy traveling and the arts . She was active in the Springlake and Mountain Laurel Garden Clubs, Friends of the Fine Arts at Texas State University, helped young students with their French and looked forward to her weekly bridge game.
Lucette was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Topper, and her beloved godchild, Randy Herring. Lucette is survived by her five children; son Don, and daughters, Elizabeth Nash and husband, Chuck of San Marcos, Texas, Madeleine Sheehy and husband Richard, of Houston, Texas, Mimi Stinson and husband Bob, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Monique Lung and husband Ray, of Atlanta, Georgia . Her adoring grandchildren Anne and Jarrett Davies, Katherine and Jack Goehring, Caroline and Brian Smith, Elizabeth and Andrew Yanev, Topper, Patrick and Reilly Sheehy, Sophie Lung, Ryan and Alexandra Topper, great grandchild, Ashton Davies, her sister, Lydie Moret, brother Roland Sadoux and his wife Pat ,nephew and niece, Eric and Anne Sadoux and children of Paris, France, and nephew, Christopher Sadoux of New York.
She touched people everywhere with her infectious smile and ageless beauty. She will be remembered always for her generosity and kindness towards others and especially for her youthful spirit and "joie de vivre" that lives on in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We will miss her dearly.
A burial service will take place at Memorial Oaks Cemetery 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079, on Friday, April 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church ,3039 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, Texas 78666
In lieu of flowers , gifts in memory of her life may be made to the French Department at The Kinkaid School, 201 Kinkaid School Drive, Houston, Texas 77024 where an award will be named in her honor.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-353-4311. Obituary and guestbook online at www.penningtonfuneralhome.com