Carmen Stecher

Carmen Crespo Stecher passed away on March 1, 2015. Born Carmen Lucille Crespo in Tampa, Florida on November 6, 1921, she graduated from the Academy of the Holy Name High School in 1940 and graduated from the Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University) in 1944. After graduating from college, Carmen lived and worked in Tampa for several years for the Florida Council for the Blind before she moved to Dallas in 1947 and worked for the Railway Express. She married Lee Roy Stecher, originally from Cameron, Texas in 1948. Carmen was a tireless worker for her children's schools, especially Good Shepherd Elementary in Garland, Texas and Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas. She was a Camp Fire and PTA leader and helped support the Highlandettes and the Wildcat Band. Carmen was extremely active in her churches: Good Shepherd in Garland, St. Patrick's in Dallas, and Mary Queen of Heaven in Malakoff and supported a variety of charities, especially Meals on Wheels and the Food Pantry. Carmen and husband Lee were some of the original homesteaders at Star Harbor on Cedar Creek Lake, where they resided permanently after they retired. They were gracious hosts to hundreds of family members and friends for the nearly 50 years that they have called The Lake House their home. Carmen was preceded in death by her beloved sisters, Mary Elizabeth "Libby" Rhodes and Mary Lois Buce. Carmen is survived by her husband of 66 years, Lee Roy Stecher of Malakoff, Texas; her children and their spouses, Sandra Stecher Harper and Dave Harper of Abilene, Texas and Steve and Danna Stecher of Austin, Texas; her grandchildren Justin and Jennifer Harper of Ft. Riley, Kansas, Jonathan Harper of Denton, Texas, Cheryl Stecher Sanborn and McClain Sanborn of Decatur, Texas, and Daniel and Chelsea Stecher of Austin, Texas; and great-grandchildren Alexandra, Reagan, Madison, and Andrew Harper; Leo and Everly Stecher; and Pearson and Samantha Sanborn; and her beloved niece Connie Buce Fife and her family in Dallas. Carmen was very proud of her growing family and never missed an opportunity to show pictures of them to her neighbors and friends. The success of her children and grandchildren can be largely attributed to the unconditional love and support that Carmen Stecher fostered in her family. There will be a rosary held Friday, March 6, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at Huckabee-Tomlinson Funeral Home. Mass will be held Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. at Mary Queen of Heaven.

Interment