Feb. 28, 1929 – Dec. 31, 2023
Frances “Francy” Enid Worthington Lipe went to be with her Lord on Dec. 31, 2023, at the age of 94. She passed away in her home in Boerne, Texas.
She was born Feb. 28, 1929, at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, to Josiah Wistar Worthington and his wife Bernice Iva Loomis Worthington. She was married to George Robert Lipe of Los Fresnos, Texas.
Frances graduated as salutatorian from Brownsville High School in 1947. She then attended the University of Texas in Austin and attained a bachelor’s degree in home economics.
Francy began her teaching career in Los Fresnos, Texas, where set met her husband, George, on a blind date. She later taught in Brownville until her third child was born and then moved on to helping George manage their family business for the next 40 years.
Frances was active in the community. She taught Sunday school at The Church of the Advent Episcopal and was active in the Republican Party as the South Texas Chapter chairwoman. Francy also was a past member of the Du Bois Hite Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution in Brownsville, and was a past director and costume chairman for many years of the Pan American Round Table 1 in Brownsville.
After George’s death in 1995, she sold the business and moved to Boerne to be near to family. There she was the organizing regent and honorary chapter regent of the George Kendall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution in Boerne.
Frances was an active member of St. Helena’s Episcopal Church in Boerne. She was a member of the vestry and served as the senior warden. She was instrumental in the planning, financing, and construction of St. Helena’s Columbarium. She then led efforts to ensure that its operation and success were maintained for years to come.
Frances also researched and published a map of World War II prisoner of war camps in the Pacific Theater for the Ex-POW organization, of which she was a member for many years.
Her life-long project was transcribing her father’s notes from his captivity during the war and ultimately publishing their book, “Hell and Beyond.”
In her later years, she was a member of the Boerne Ladies Reading Club and enjoyed hosting their meetings and especially their annual Christmas party.
Frances is survived by her four children, three sons, John Wistar Lipe (wife Beckey) of Lubbock, Thomas Wilson Lipe (wife Ginny) of Boerne, and George Russell Lipe (wife Robin) of Kerrville; and one daughter, Virginia Lipe Alford (husband Tim) of Houston; her brother, Wilson Worthington (wife Sandy) of Carefree, Arizona; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and will be missed by her brother and sisters-in-law, Henry, Tomasita, Margie, Jean and Judy Lipe and Mary Worthington.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Lipe; her parents, Josiah and Bernice Loomis Worthington; and brothers, Fayette and Josiah (Jody) Worthington.
The family would like to thank Tina, her housekeeper, and all the wonderful caregivers that devoted so much time and effort to her the last 2-1/2 years. Your love and dedication will be remembered.
There will be a Celebration of Frances’ life at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024, at St. Helena’s Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main St. in Boerne. She will be interred there in St. Helena’s Columbarium.
A reception will follow in the church hall after the service. Donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
To leave condolences for the family and to view a video of Frances’ life, visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com. Arrangements with Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.
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