Christine Cartwright

Christine Mary Ann Cartwright passed away on July 7, 2025, at the age of 83.

Chris was born on January 19, 1942, in Harwood, Texas, to Otto and Olga Kuntschik. She was the twin of her brother Henry. She grew up with him and sisters Jeannine and Carol, attended public schools, and enjoyed the rural life of Gonzales County. Chris was active in many school activities, especially 4-H, where she showed sheep. She graduated from Gonzales High School in 1960.

Chris attended Baldwin Business College in Yoakum, where she mastered excellent skills in bookkeeping, filing, and office organization. After graduation, she moved to Austin, where she worked in public service for thirty years. She began work in the Office of the Attorney General as an administrative assistant. She later moved to the Governor's Office, where she handled criminal justice grant applications and programs. She worked for a total of five Texas Governors, starting with Dolph Briscoe, through Bill Clements, Mark White, Clements again, Ann Richards, and finally George W. Bush, who presented a retirement certificate to Chris in 1995.

Chris married Donald Cartwright, an Air Force officer, in 1980, and they enjoyed twenty-four years together before he passed in 2004. Their major project was the purchase of Luckett House, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, in Bastrop. Built in 1892, the house was a stunning high Victorian structure. Chris and Don spent their weekends painting, refinishing, reupholstering, papering, and all the tasks involved in such a home. Chris loved antiques and had a great eye for furniture and décor at auctions and specialty shops. Luckett House was often featured in home tours, attracting large crowds of admirers. Chris had a vast collection of holiday decorations, so the house was especially beautiful each Christmas. Additionally, their home was used several times as a filming location for movies, television, and commercials.

In "retirement", Chris and Don ran a consulting company, Texas Yacht Exports, helping foreign buyers secure and transport their vessels to their homelands. Chris also opened a catering business, Puddin' and Pie Catering, that showcased her excellent recipes and cooking skills. For many years, she handled lunches, dinners, parties, weddings, and receptions around Bastrop County.

Chris was very active and visible in her community, serving on the board of the United Methodist Church of Bastrop and volunteering as bookkeeper for many years. She was active in the Bastrop Historical Society, the Children's Advocacy Center, and the Bastrop Opera House. Chris received the Point of Light Award from the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce for her long and significant volunteer efforts to serve and improve the community. In her rare spare time, Chris enjoyed gardening, playing with her Tuesday Bridge Group, watching basketball games, and caring for a long series of cats.

Chris is survived by her sister Carol Sweeney (Kenneth), nieces Donis Jackson (Bill), Sunny Lee Fritsche (Ken), nephews Robert Hoopingarner, Alan Kuntschik (Nicole), and Aaron Kuntschik. She also survived by Casey Riordan, a dear friend of many years to her and her late husband.

Chris was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Jeannine Hoopingarner (Sonny), twin brother Henry Kuntschik (Verlene), nephew Kenneth Sweeney II, and niece Shari Anderson.

A service will be held on Monday, July 21, at 10:30 am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (Shelter 3) in San Antonio. Chris will be placed at rest with her husband, Don. Guests are asked to arrive at least fifteen minutes early and may consult the cemetery website for detailed directions. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Children's Advocacy Center at 59 TX 150 Loop, in Bastrop, Texas 78602.