Nancy Payne

1936 - 2025

Nancy Pfluger Payne's family would like to share the sad news that Nancy recently passed away. This is the obituary she wrote and left for us.
Nancy grew up in Taylor, Texas, with her younger years in the nearby community of Coupland on property purchased by great grandfather George Pfluger in early 1850's. Her German (Grandfather A. M. Pfluger) Swiss (Grandmother Mrs. A. M. – Marie), and Swedish (Grandparents Henry and Minnie Anderson) heritages ran deep with both families arriving in Texas in the 1800's. Yes – the now not so small "village" of Pflugerville is named for her great grandfather for his influence in getting the up-and-coming railroad to run through that community. She enjoyed visits to the European villages of all three grandparents: Sweden with her mother and aunt Violet, Switzerland with Joe, and Germany with her friend Barbara.
She was predeceased by her loving parents, Alvin (1969) and Hortense (1981), Pfluger of Coupland and Taylor. In 1967, they created a delightful vacation home on Lake Buchanan. She and Joe continued to enjoy it immensely and Nancy still considered it one of her favorite vacation spots.
She graduated from Taylor High School in May, 1954 and that September enrolled in UT with its 18,000 students, frighteningly larger than her entire hometown. Her THS class originated the first Homecoming Celebration in fall of 1953. She never missed the annual reunion and pep rally that includes members of all classes. Always great to see her classmates and close friends but especially fun when homecoming ceremonies recognized the Ducks final game before moving to a new school and new stadium. As Taylor High's first Homecoming Queen (Fall, 1953) she was asked to crown the new queen. She enjoyed live TV coverage showcasing the new "Duck Room" filled with THS memorabilia, which includes Nancy's high school scrapbooks. She was selected as a Distinguished Alumnus of Taylor High School in 2004. Hometown celebrations with longtime close friends in Taylor and Coupland were especial important to Nancy.
At The University of Texas (at Austin) September 1954, Nancy pledged Delta Gamma Sorority, joined University United Methodist Church, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics specializing in Fashion Merchandizing. She served on the School of Human Ecology's (new name) Advisory Council for 40 + years. As a part of the College of Natural Sciences, Human Ecology involves in depth studies in child development, nutrition, and fashion. She especially enjoyed participating with Associate Professor Nancy Prideaux and her students of Fashion Merchandizing during their studies in New York. UT in NYC establishes contact with designers and fashion diva Iris Apfel, coordinator of an exciting week that provides students with exposure to the ways of the fashion world.
After several attempts at what she considered not so exciting employment, she found her way to the State Capitol, joining the staff of Senator A. M. Aikin, Dean of the Senate. Several sessions later, her longtime friend Martha called saying there was an opening in the Chancellor's Office and she should apply. April 12, 1962 she began her 30 year UT career, starting as special assistant to Chancellor Harry Ransom. She often recalls a bit of a freight after watching a TV interview involving Ransom and Vincent Price showcasing Great Libraries of the World on Sunday afternoon before her first "day in the office". As the UR System expanded and multiple institutions were included, introductory events became important on each campus and as such, expanded her "job description". As those responsibilities increased, the Office of Special Services was created. As Director, her responsibilities included coordinating University events during the tenure of four Chancellors, Executive Vice Chancellors and numerous Chairman of the Board of Regents.
A date arranged by good friend MJ led to her marriage to Joe Payne on October 16, 1982 and Nancy was excited to become an "instant grandmother of six", thanks to Joe and his children.
For fun, she had a passion for travel, and until recently held the record of travelers with the most Flying Longhorn trips. Several of those she and her husband Joe were asked to represent Ex-Students Association as hosts. Sadly, Joe passed away in Paris during one of those excursions but later she continued to travel with friends and often spent Christmas in foreign lands with son Mark and daughter in law Donna. When asked about a favorite travel location she would hesitate and then come forth with a string of destinations – like Egypt and the Nile cruise, Kenya and South Africa for photo safaris, walking on the Great Wall of China – twice! Patagonian cruise, Russia, Tuscany, and more BUT always Lake Buchanan. In her twenties and thirties, before her marriage to Joe at age 46, she was an enthusiastic snow skier with many, many trips to Aspen, Vail, Taos, Steamboat Springs plus two really exciting adventures down the mountains of Zermott, Switzerland and Innsbrook, Austria, travelling with Space City Skiers of Houston and the early days of Austin Skiers. Travel with Houston friends presented the exciting opportunity to meet Princess Grace and Prince Rainier during a Cooley Society Conference in Monaco.
She often told son Mark that some of her "best" trips were with him and Donna, including several Caribbean cruises, Christmas visits to Paris and Stockholm to visit his cousins, but especially her 80th birthday celebration floating the Snake River AND the Hot Air Balloon ride in Jackson Hole, plus winter snowmobile trips with them in Yellowstone National Park. And, of course, the 2005 UT Championship game ranked near the top. She was an adventuresome lady!
UT Football was a passion with Nancy – rarely missing a game over some 50+ years until she and her friend Barbara decided DKR and BEVO BLVD were becoming a little too difficult for "senior" ladies to handle.
After Joe's death she turned her attention to volunteering, serving many hours with Assistance League of Austin, holding several Board positions including President 2005 – 2006, and President of UT's Retired Faculty Staff Association in 2015-16. She also enjoyed volunteering as a Docent of the Governor's Mansion, was a current member of Austin Woman's Forum, Life Member of Chancellor's Council Executive Committee, Life Member of Texas Exes and the Legends, Membership with UT's Blanton and Ransom Museums, along with the Bullock Texas History Museum. She was a member of the 1990 Leadership Texas program and continued to enjoy "reunion" with classmates in January each year. She served on the Ann Richard's Inaugural Committee and marched up the Avenue with her LT class preceding Inaugural ceremonies. The Texas Exes in Human Ecology named her Alumnus of the Year 1994, and in 2006, The HE Exes presented her with the Human Ecology Service Awards. She was nominated by Assistance League and selected as Ballet Austin's 2007 WOMAN ON HER TOES and in 2014 Assistance League presented her with the JoAnn Jentz Award demonstrating 20 plus years of service and outstanding leadership. She and Joe enjoyed membership in the Austin Club and she enjoyed many years of "classes without quizzes" with SAGE.
As an only child, Nancy was ALWAYS very close to her cousins, three of which were also only children – their children, Bonnie (Bland and Frank), Bennie (Ben, Marsha, Annette, and Bonnie Sue) and Jimmie (Jamie and Lawrence) from her mother's family and Andrew (Jim and Steve), Evelyn (Donald and Mark), and Calvin (Jan and Scott) from her father's family. At 90+ Calvin is her only surviving Cousin. Joe's brother Ray was especially supportive during all the years.
She is survived by Joe's children (Charlotte, Mark and Diane – Kathy, deceased 2020) 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren: Kendra (Parker and Logan), Kasey (Raeley, Braydon), Zach (Zoe, Vincent), Gloria, Sean and Kristina. Nancy remained in contact with many close Taylor High as well as UT, Austin and Houston friends. Her dear friend and companion Charlie often referred to "the ladies" as her covey. Services will be held at University United Methodist Church on September 3, 2025 beginning with a visitation at 1:00 p.m. and a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. There will not be a graveside service.
Donations in Nancy's name would be welcome to Assistance League of Austin, 4901 Burnet Rad, Austin, Texas 78756; University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe, Austin, Tx 78705; Llano Co Lakeshore Library, 7346 RR 261, Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609 or a charity of your choice.