SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 620
In Memory
of
Claudia Hudspeth Abbey Ball
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of San Antonio and Hudspeth County in mourning the loss
of Claudia Hudspeth Abbey Ball, who died March 9, 2011, at the age
of 80; and
WHEREAS, Born November 5, 1930, in El Paso, Claudia
Hudspeth Abbey attended Saint Mary's Hall and graduated in 1948
as senior class president; while in school, she developed a love
of ranching from spending summers with her grandparents on their
beautiful Hudspeth River Ranch; Claudia attended Vassar College
and graduated Phi Beta Kappa; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, she was an Order of the Alamo Fiesta
duchess of the Grecian Hillsides, and she married her duke, Judge
T. Armour Ball, who passed away in 1990; they were blessed with a
son, William Armour Ball, who died in 1985, and a daughter, Mary
Alice Ball Strunk; and
WHEREAS, Claudia was a leading San Antonio citizen who was
noted for her many interests and talents; she was an editor for
The Alamo Heights News and was famous for her entertaining
articles; she became knowledgeable about landscaping and was an
expert on native plants and flowers; she developed into a
champion golfer and founded the "Quien Sabe?" tournament at the
San Antonio Country Club; and
WHEREAS, During Hemisfair, she organized social events and
tours for the Institute of Texas Cultures; she invested her time
with the Texas Folklife Festival and served as its director; she
and her friends founded Canterbury Cannery, and they sold and
shipped their tasty products, including their famous Jalapeño
Jelly, throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, Not one to shy from challenges, Claudia took up
ranching as a profession and was named Conservation Rancher of
the Year in 1983; she founded and directed the Holistic Resource
Management Program and implemented its principles on her beloved
Hudspeth River Ranch; her ranch then served as a model for
teaching students at Texas A&M University, Sul Ross State
University, and Angelo State University; and
WHEREAS, A hunting enthusiast, Claudia actively pursued
opportunities for deer, antelope, bird, and duck hunting; she
hunted in such places as Denmark and Spain, and she participated
in at least seven safaris in South Africa; she was also an
enthusiastic fan of the San Antonio Spurs; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary lady whose zest for life was
inspirational to others, Claudia was beloved and respected for her
unique accomplishments, her engaging personality, her sense of
humor, and her pursuit of excellence in all of her endeavors; and
WHEREAS, A remarkable woman who was known for her strength,
generosity, and dauntless spirit, Claudia gave unselfishly of
her time to others and to her community, and she will long be
remembered with affection and appreciation by all who were
privileged to share in her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Claudia Hudspeth Abbey Ball: her daughter and
son-in-law, Mary Alice Ball Strunk and William Robert Strunk; and
her grandchildren, William Armour Strunk, Sarah Campbell Strunk,
and Claudia Abbey Strunk; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the members of her family as an expression of deepest sympathy
from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of Claudia Hudspeth Abbey Ball.
Wentworth
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 23, 2011, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate