AUDREY MOODY LEY
1914-2018
Audrey Moody Ley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to so many, died peacefully on Sunday, the 4th of March, at her apartment in Houston. “Teetie”, as she was affectionally known by her loving family, was 103 years young.
Audrey was born on Terry Street in Houston, Texas on the 28th of October, 1914 to Alvin Scheler Moody, Sr and Nettie Henry Lacy Moody. The Moodys owned the Texas Abstract and Title Company and dedicated their lives to family, community and land development. Moody Park was named after Alvin by Houston’s Mayor in honor of his great title work in assembling the land for the City. A branch library was named to honor “Miss Nettie”.
In her youth, Audrey attended and then counseled at Camp Waldemar where she learned many of life’s valuable lessons. She graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1932 and Rice Institute in 1936, majoring in history. Through the friendships of Audrey’s brothers, she met the love of her life, Wendel D. Ley, Rice class of 1932, and they married November 29, 1936. Immediately after their wedding, Audrey and Wendel set off on a 6-week car trip honeymoon to tour the Northeast and Canada with Wendel’s hard-earned $1,000. They returned to Houston with $3.16 in Wendel’s pocket and Audrey knew then that she had married a great financial planner. The were parents of four children, partners and best friends for 65 years until Wendel’s death in 2001.
Audrey loved to play bridge and often hosted bridge parties for couples at their home. When she moved to The Hallmark it afforded her not only a treasure trove of old and new friends, but fellow bridge players as well. Audrey also enjoyed participating in The Hallmark monthly writing group and her personal reflections are a true and lasting gift to her family.
One of the great joys of “Teetie and Wendy’s” married life was their participation in the Colonneh Club, which started as a group of men who lunched together every week for over 50 years. Wendy thought there should be a Ladies Auxiliary which the wives duly formed. Through the club and the auxiliary many strong friendships among families were built that continue to this day.
Recognizing that Audrey and Wendel were among the most ardent of Rice University athletic department fans and supporters, Audrey was inducted into the 2011 Rice Athletic Hall of Fame with an Honorary R Association Award. At age 92 she was given the honor of throwing out the first pitch at a Rice baseball game to open the season. The pitch was called a strike, Audrey called it her slider.
Audrey and Wendel traveled extensively abroad, with friends often joining them on Wendel’s cleverly organized adventures, but they always made time for family at their vacation homes in New Braunfels and Cleveland, Texas and at their beloved YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado.
Audrey is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wendel Duer Ley, son Robert Moody Ley and his wife Margaret H. Ley, son Stephen Wendel Ley, son-in-law Robert H. Allen, and brothers Alvin and Dan Moody.
She is survived by her two daughters, Judy Ley Allen of Houston and Diane (Antonio) Espinoza of Asuncion, Paraguay; grandchildren, Katherine (Bill) O’Neill of La Grange, Illinois, David (Gisela) Ley of Houston, Kevin (Julie) Ley of Austin, Susan Espinoza (Marc Piatkowski) of Austin, Jorge (Maureen) Espinoza of Boulder, Colorado; eight great-grandchildren, Chris, Charlie and Billy O’Neill, Sylvia and Carmen Espinoza, Mia and Maximo Piatkowski and Elizabeth Ley. She is also survived by her former daughter-in-law, Sharon Ley Lietzow, who was married to her son, Steve.
A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 9th of March, in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Linda Christian, Executive Pastor will officiate. Immediately following guests are invited to greet the family during a reception in the gathering room of St. Luke’s.
The family will have previously gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers during Friday’s service are David Ley, Kevin Ley, Jorge Espinoza, Bill O’Neill, Marc Piatkowski, Michael Wilson, Dan M. Moody, John S. Moody, Christopher, Charlie and Billy O’Neill and Maximo Piatkowski. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Colonneh Club.
For those desiring and with the family’s gratitude, memorial contributions may be directed to the Colonneh Scholarship fund (EA-32) at Rice Athletic Department, Office of Development, Rice University, P.O Box 1892MS-81, Houston, Texas 77251-1892, or to the Wendel D. Ley Family YMCA, 15055 Wallisville Road, Houston, Texas 77049 or to a charity of your choice.
Until we meet again dear Teetie…Rest in Peace with the angels of which you are one. You are forever in our hearts.