Carolyn Jeanette (Farrell) Moran

Carolyn Jeanette (Farrell) Moran, 89, of Brenham, Texas passed away Thursday, February 18th surrounded by her family after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Carolyn was born January 28th, 1932 in Houston, Texas to Dr. Harry and Frances Farrell. After attending St. Agnes Academy and Lamar High School, she received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Houston. Carolyn married Dan J. Moran, Jr. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Houston, Texas in 1954 and they were married for 58 years. They remained in Houston, where they raised six children until moving to Brenham in 1976 to settle down and eventually retire, at which time Danny, Jennifer, and Catherine were college-bound, whereas Bill, Mary Anne, and Carrie would attend Brenham schools. Surviving family members include: daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Larry Chambers of New Hampshire, Mary Anne Moran and Shannon Smith of Brenham, Carrie and Shawn Derkowski of Brenham; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Traci Moran of Brenham; grandchildren, Sally Matthews-Chambers and Chris Chambers, Austin and Brayden Derkowski, Dusty and Kaci Morgan, Jayci Moran; great-grandchildren, Valen Morgan and Bryntli Murphy; along with special nieces, Nancy Tusa, Tricia Civitello, Eloise Byrd and Sally Edmundson. Carolyn was preceded in death by the love of her life, Dan J. Moran Jr., son Dan J. Moran III, daughter Catherine Moran Zeiss, as well as sister and brother-in-law Betty Jean and Dr. Ed Kitts.

In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Carolyn went above and beyond when it came to community involvement and service. After moving to Brenham in the mid-‘70s, she quickly engaged in a multitude of clubs and organizations, excelling in her roles in each one, leading her to numerous accomplishments throughout her years of service. She played a large part in the revitalization of the Heritage Society of Washington County, where she was instrumental in the completion of the Giddings Stone Mansion. She was a life member of the Heritage Society and served as vice-president from 1989-91, was the home tour chairperson and committee member for the Christmas at the Mansion. Furthermore, she participated in the Independence Historical Society as a member and docent since 1999. Carolyn served as a Winedale Historical Center Council Board Member from 1979-88, was a member of the Arts Council of Washington County and the Republican Women’s Club and has served as a Republican Party volunteer as a precinct judge and as a clerk. She was a board member of the Oak Rest Cemetery Association for over 20 years, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and has served on the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association board. Carolyn served on the Trinity Hospital Health Services Foundation from 1994-2003, including 2 years as chairperson and two years as vice-chairperson. She was a board member of Unity Theatre from 2002-04 and was also instrumental in researching and obtaining a Texas historical marker for the African-American Catholic Church in Washington and served on the committee to supply priests for that congregation. She was a devout and active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was an immense contributor to restoration and facility projects over the last 40 years. To top off these accomplishments, Carolyn was honored as Woman of the Year in 2005 by the Chamber of Commerce of Brenham. However, Carolyn was most well-known among others not for her accolades, but for the kindness and compassion she showed to countless others by just being who she was, a woman of God, every day. For many, Carolyn represented strength, hope, and above all, God’s love for each and every one of us.

Carolyn was the cornerstone of her family, being both a devoted wife and mother while managing to juggle all of the aforementioned responsibilities she took upon herself. Carolyn was known as the glue of the family, the gatherer and gracious hostess, the gourmet chef, the patient mother of 6, the family lawyer and ultimate decider of disputes, the smile that lit up even the biggest and most crowded room, the epitome of a southern lady clad in elegance, grace, class, and dignity, the heart that never tired of giving and showing love, the single most genuine and personally-invested person anyone knew, the attentive listener, wise adviser, the friend that anyone would be lucky to have, the charismatic personality that strove to recognize the best in others, the mother who would go to war for her children, the unrivaled example of faith and unyielding strength of spirit, and ultimately, the legacy we can only hope to leave behind. Two of her favorite places were their ranch named “Rancho Poco Mo” where they lived for over 30 years and the beach where she spent many summers enjoying it with her children, the Tusa’s and Hindman families.

Visitation for Carolyn will be held Friday, February 26, 2021 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm with the recitation of the rosary at 6:00 pm in the Brenham Memorial Chapel located at 2300 Stringer St, Brenham, Texas. The family will be present to receive friends from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm. The funeral mass will be on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church located at 701 Church Street, Brenham, Texas.

Pallbearers: Shawn Derkowski, Austin Derkowski, Brayden Derkowski, Shannon Smith, Paul Murski, Michael Hindman, Dusty Morgan

Honorary Pallbearers: Norwood Lange, Bill Pennybacker, Steve James, Ken Wax, Dr. Ed Heyne, Phil Edmundson, Tom Byrd, Rob Civitello

Special Friends: Cordelia Cummings, Jean Banker, Marcena O’Malley, Ruth Ewing, Dee Pennybacker, Barbara Powell, Barbara Lange, Kim Janner, Elizabeth Nutt, Sarah Roberts, Noelie Pfeffer, Celestina Maldonado, Iris Ballew, Frances Heyne, Frances Harris, Eloise Damon, Elaine Brown, Jeri Baehren, Betty Yoakum, Gaile Young, Jean Funkhouser, Lete Phillips, Catholic Supper Club, Lete’s Exercise Group, Book Club and Tennis Group. It would be impossible to thank everyone that showed Carolyn such love and kindness, so we would like to thank those who have not been already named for their presence in her life.
We want to give special thanks to a group of ladies that were particularly devoted to the care of our mother. Alisa “Cookie” King, Farlice Lovings, Synthia Mathis, Laverne Mathis and Renee Crawford.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Carolyn’s honor be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Unity Theatre, and Animal Friends of Washington County.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel and online condolences for the family may be left at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.