Jeanette F. NASSOUR

NASSOUR, Jeanette F.
Jeanette F. Nassour was born in Poughkeepsie, NY, to Fred M. Ferris and Rahme Bassil Ferris, and died on Thursday, June 30, 2016, in Austin, TX.

One of her greatest thrills growing up was meeting Eleanor Roosevelt the day the First Lady came to speak at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Poughkeepsie. Her next greatest thrill was seeing Frank Sinatra in live performance. Jeanette graduated from Mt. St. Vincent College in Riverdale, NY, where she taught in the business school, and later she completed several graduate courses at the UT School of Business. In 1950, she and her parents moved to Austin to prepare for her marriage in 1951 to the love of her life, Ferris Patrick Nassour.

Jeanette and Ferris were married almost 55 years, and when they weren't busy running The Cadeau on the Drag, they traveled throughout the United States and almost every country in Europe with friends or just each other. They both loved to travel so they could learn about exciting places and make a connection for exquisite items for their new store.

Launched the year after their marriage, The Cadeau quickly became known as Austin's premier gift store. In the 1990s, they opened a second successful location in Central Park on Lamar. It gave Jeanette much pleasure to be recognized as "The Cadeau Lady" everywhere she went, even after the Austin landmarks closed following the sudden death of her beloved Ferris in 2006. She always said, "He was my partner in everything, and it just wasn't as much fun without him."

Both Jeanette and Ferris were devoted to making Austin a more vibrant city through the arts, joining Austin (Lyric) Opera from its beginning and becoming a Season Sponsor. With her close friend, Ellen King (Mrs. Alfred), Jeanette co-chaired many committees for the Opera, including the Opening Night Dinners; The Opera Ball; and a series of annual events called Divas, Dinners, and Diversions. Together they created one-of-a-kind experiences, and had fun doing it, with volunteers lining up to join their committees. In 1992, she received the Opera Guild's BRAVO Award for extraordinary volunteer service.

Jeanette served as chair of the Task Force for the "Beautification of The Drag," and she and Ferris were founding members of the Performing Arts Center at UT, dedicated to enlarging the venue and improving the quality of performances. She also served on steering committees for The Blanton Museum, Laguna Gloria, and AMOA (Director's Circle).

A special place in their hearts was reserved for the Dept. of Art History at the College of Fine Arts, UT Austin, and St. Edwards University (Austin) as a Chapel contributor, and they supported and participated in many of their cultural events. Jeanette kept her membership in The Headliners Club and the Knights of the Vine.

Jeanette leaves many friends to remember her with love and affection, especially her Opera "family" and former customers. Much gratitude for their loving friendship over many decades goes to Sarah and Frank Lively, Dr. Betty Mace Matluck and the late Dr. Joseph Matluck, and all the King children: Gilbert and Marci, Gordon and Alma, and Pier. Special thank you to Angie Bonnici and Cindy Stone for their love and kind attention.

Predeceasing Jeanette were her parents, Rahme and Fred Ferris, and her adoring husband, Ferris Nassour.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Austin Opera, 3009 Industrial Terrace, #100, Austin, TX 78758.

Pallbearers are Phil Barnes, Richard Buckley, Gilbert King, Gordon King, William Shean, and Gerald Stone. Honorary pallbearers are Doyle Fellers, Walter Kerr, Frank Lively, Peter Schram, and Harry Ullmann. Brett Barnes will contribute to the Mass with performances of Panis Angelicus and Ave Maria.

The Rosary will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on Lamar Blvd at 7 PM on Wednesday, July 6, followed on July 7 at 9:30 AM the Mass of Resurrection at St. Mary's Cathedral (Bishop's Hall). Interment at Assumption Cemetery on IH-35 South.

Obituary and guestbook are available online at
www.wcfish.com