Ivy Helen Ivy's Obituary
IVY, IVY HELEN (“Ivy Ivy”) died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, June 2, 2014. Ivy was born in Colorado Springs, Co. August 11, 1927 to Manton Nicholas and Irene Goodlett Fain. She was raised in Oak Cliff on Woodlawn along with her brothers, M.N. and W.C. and sister June. Ivy graduated early from Adamson High School in January 1944 at the age of 16. While at Adamson, she served as a Senior class officer and an associate editor of “The Acorn”, the school newspaper. She then went on to attend college at North TX. Agricultural College, (now U.T. Arlington) from 1944-46, where she was also an editor of the schools newspaper, “The Shorthorn”. After college, Ivy went to work for the Veterans Administration as a clerk-typist in the shipping and distribution branch, then later in the Budget and Planning Division. During the spring of 1946, she began dating David Ivy, of Oak Cliff, upon his return from the Army, and on September 1st, they married. Ivy Fain became Ivy Ivy! Ivy and David moved to Pecos, TX in January of 1948 to take over one of the Ivy Family businesses, The Pecos Laundry. It was there that they began their family, with David, Jr. being born in November of’ 48, and next JoAnn in ’52. They were very happy there, built a new home, were members of the country club, and even had a dish at Ben’s Spanish Inn named for them, “Ivy’s Special” (green enchilada, beef taco, refried beans and guacamole salad–.95 cents!). In 1956, they moved back to Dallas to run Oak Cliff Linen Service. Ivy then got a secretarial job with Angus Wynne at the Offices of Wynnewood Shopping Center. It was there that she got to participate in correspondence and planning of the neighborhood subdivision of Wynnewood Hills, and Six Flags Over Texas, among other projects. In 1958, Ivy became a full time homemaker, which she loved. During that time, she became a Cub Scout leader, and on one fateful camp out, she contracted poison ivy. Somehow her story made it into The Oak Cliff Tribune stating “Ivy Ivy has poison ivy”. That article then somehow was brought to the attention of Gary Moore of the “I’ve Got a Secret” game show! Ivy was chosen to appear on the show with the famous panel of Bill Cullen, Bess Meyerson, Jayne Meadows, and Betsy Palmer. Along with the free trip for two to NYC, Ivy was paid $80 and gifted a carton of Winston’s (the shows sponsor), and a lifelong memory. In 1962, Ivy and David’s lives took a turn in a new direction when David graduated from S.M.U. Law School, and began practice in the O.C., and only a year later running for and winning a seat in the 59th Texas Legislature. During this exciting time, they were honored to travel Texas, meeting, working and socializing with many important political dignitaries, including Governor Connolly, LBJ, and many others. They were also active members of the Oak Cliff Country Club, Oak Cliff Dinner Dance Club, bridge clubs, and more. In 1967, they were blessed with the birth of their 3rd child, Janet. Then in 1971 they decided to move to Highland Park. David set up his Law Practice in HP Village, and Ivy (now Helen) became an active member of Dallas Lawyers Wives, serving at various times as Secretary and Vice-President. Other club work during the following years included the Women’s Boards of the Dallas Ballet and Dallas Opera, the Dallas Summer Musical Guild, Mes Amis Club (president), Docent at Old City Park, and SMU Mother’s Club. They lived there for 30 happy and active years, raising Janet, being Grandparents, entertaining friends, family and neighbors. In 1990, they began again with a new venture into the private club/liquor maintenance business. Helen coined the name “Unicard”, which turned into a booming business, saving the restaurant industry millions of dollars over the next 23 years. In 2001, they were able to buy their “dream” home in the Lake Forest neighborhood of North Dallas, where they hosted many parties, club meetings, gathering of friends, and family get togethers over the years. They lived there until David’s passing in March 2013. David and Helen loved to travel with their friends, owning several motorhomes throughout the years, and two different vacation homes in Granbury’s Pecan Plantation. They were members of several dinner/dance clubs, and were considered one of the best couples on the dance floor for almost 67 years of marriage. Helen was a member of several bridge clubs, one for more than 50 years with her life long friends. Ivy Helen Ivy was always the life of the party! She could light up the room and have everyone laughing and having a great time in any situation. She was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was much loved by all of her family and forever friends. She will be missed. Ivy was preceded in death by her husband, David; her parents, Manton and Irene; 2 brothers, M.N. and W.C., and 2 sisters, June (Smith/Day) and Elaine (Layman), 4 nephews. Ivy is survived by her son, David, Jr.; daughters, Janet Ivy and JoAnn Miller; son in law, Marshall; sisters in law, Winifred Holmes and Mattie Ivy; grandchildren Dannah Walter (husband Jim), Paul Blanchard (wife Cheryl), Joseph and Angela Miller; great grandchildren, Jameson and Noelle Walter, Maddie and Jack Blanchard, and beloved nieces, nephews and many lifelong friends. Services will be Monday, June 9, 2014 at 3:00 PM at Restland Wildwood Chapel. A reception will follow at El Fenix restuarant at 6811 West Northwest Hwy. Dallas, Texas 75225 after service. In lieu of flowers , please make donations to the charity of ones choice.
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