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Estelle Corgan of Austin, who grew up as an independent spirit on a Texas Ranch and in the Rio Grande Valley found her true calling caring for others, died Tuesday 04-01-09 of complications from pneumonia at Seton Southwest Hospital in Austin. She was 98. Mrs. Corgan was born in the Texas hill country to Edgar and Laura Lee Lane Posey, who were dairy farmers and ranchers. As a girl, she was a good shot with her .410 shotgun, able to bag a rabbit or a squirrel, a detail that years later delighted her citified grandchildren. "She was an Annie Oakley," said her grandson, Daylon Lee Lutzenberger of Atlanta, Ga. Like that famous markswoman, too, Mrs. Corgan was outspoken. After her husband, Harry John Corgan, died in 1962, Mrs. Corgan found herself needing to earn a living to support herself and her elderly parents. One of her husband's business associates hired her as a secretary. Texas' favorite son, Lyndon Johnson, was president. The White House one day had reason to call on business, but Mrs. Corgan was not easily impressed. "I'm sorry, he's on the other line now." she told the White House staffer. "It would be rude to interrupt." When the staffer explained his importance in the scheme of things, Mrs. Corgan said tartly: "I don't care who…is on the line for him" and refused to break in. Mrs. Corgan always insisted on politeness, manners and a sense of what was proper, said her daughter, Bonnie Lutzenberger of Dripping Springs. She preached the courtesies of "please," "thank you," "yes ma'am" and removing one's hat inside. When the family had guests, "you always got up to tell them goodbye. Even when it was hard for her to get up and down, she'd always walk her guests to the door," Bonnie Lutzenberger said. Still, Mrs. Corgan's most enduring lesson was taught by example. During Bonnie Lutzenberger's growing up, three cousins came to live with them when they needed homes. One of them always referred to Mrs. Corgan as her "aunt/mother". And when Mrs. Corgan's own parents needed care, they moved in and stayed for two decades. That generosity didn't just extend to family. As a nursing home employee, Mrs. Corgan often supplied residents with the toiletries and niceties that they couldn't otherwise afford. Bonnie Lutzenberger's friend, Kay Godwin of Buda, recalled that when Mrs. Corgan was in her 50s, she came to her aid by taking care of Ms. Godwin's mother and aunt after a stroke limited their ability to care for themselves. She moved in with both women for more than a year. "My mother had time for everybody and their need, and she didn't expect anything in return," Bonnie Lutzenberger said. "I never heard her complain one time." In recent years, her grandson John Lutzenberger supported her care enabling her to live on her own until her recent hospitalization. Her independent spirit continued until the end. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Al Lutzenberger of Dripping Springs; two grandsons, John Allen Lutzenberger of Austin and Daylon Lee Lutzenberger of Atlanta; one great-grandchild, Cole Allen Lutzenberger of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at noon Friday 04-03-09 at Mission Burial Park South, 1700 S.E. Military Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78214. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. Corgan's name may be made to Church Building Fund, Presbyterian Church of Lake Travis, 15000 Hamilton Pool Road, Austin, Texas 78738.

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Estelle Corgan

October 30, 1910 - April 1, 2009