Lynn Cardiff passed away on Monday, December 3, 2018 at the age of 82. A pillar to the Katy Community through philanthropic endeavors, and contributions to Katy through her work with the Katy Chamber of Commerce as Executive Director and more.
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
December 7, 2018
by Ariana Pezeshki
Philanthropic Endeavors
Lynn was born to entrepreneurial parents James Ferguson Helms and Violet Matilda Liles Helms on Saturday, February 1, 1936 in Houston, Texas. Throughout her life in Katy, Lynn partook in several philanthropic endeavors like joining the Katy Elementary School PTA to ultimately becoming their president. Lynn also worked with the March of Dimes Organization and was chair of the local Christmas Seals and beloved by the Katy community.
"So many of us will miss her beautiful smile and always optimistic attitude," says Carol Adams, former executive director of the Katy Heritage Society. "Lynn was unique and genuine and made every one she met feel special. I'm grateful she was my friend."
Beloved Katy Namesake
Lynn and the love of her life, Hal Victor Cardiff became active members of the Katy community. Terry Woods says, "Farwell to a wonderful friend and a beautiful lady. You, forever made your mark on Katy. to the family, May the Lord Bless you and Keep You."
Cardiff family members have served the community as city councilmen, school trustees, and teachers for the last nine decades, the family is also a Katy namesake for Cardiff Junior High School.
When Katy Magazine interviewed the Cardiff Family in 2017, Lynn said, “We are indeed proud and humbled by this great honor. I believe that the main reason the Katy ISD board and the citizens of Katy found the Cardiff's to be worthy of this wonderful honor is because of the pioneering spirit of the first Cardiff, Hal’s father, who came to Katy in 1929 to produce rice and to raise his family."
"Lynn was a great Katyite and a very warm and friendly lady who will be missed by many," wrote Don and Ida Faye Elder on her obituary.
Katy Contributions In addition to Lynn's contributions to Katy not only through her work with the Katy Chamber of Commerce as Executive Director, but also past treasurer and president of the Katy Heritage Society, which Lynn along with several others helped create. Lynn worked to create the beloved Katy Rice Harvest Festival as a way to highlight the local agriculture to bring the Katy community together for the celebration. Lynn also facilitated many Katy Fourth of July celebrations and pageants.
Lynn was also a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the 20th Century Club, and was an active member and past president of the Katy Literary Club. Throughout all these endeavors, Lynn was a woman of strong faith and spread her message of Christianity by hosting a cooking show called Katy's Kitchen highlighting great cooks in the area and sharing her award winning Lemon Celebration Cake. Notably, Lynn was Mrs. Houston and Mrs. Texas, and became the runner up to Mrs. America in 1964 where she first made a name for herself.
Lynn is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Hal V Cardiff; her children Terry, Hal, Kim, and Les; their spouses, Gary, Alisa, Micky, and Sandy; eleven grandchildren, Jacqueline (husband Garth), Joshua, Grant (wife Sarah), Blake, Tripp (wife Bronwyn), Ben, Mason (wife Taryn), Hannah, Morgan (husband Kevin), Crockett (wife Becca), and Kristy (husband Justin); five great-grandchildren, Violet, Lyla, Andi, Denton, and Logan; and her brothers, James (wife Carol) and Roger (wife Sondra).
Katy Magazine offers their condolences to the Cardiff family and thanks them for their contribution to the Katy community. Lynn will be missed.
If you would like to offer your condolences to the family please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHome.net.
Funeral services will be held under the direction of Schmidt Funeral Home, 1508 East Avenue, Katy, Texas 77493; (281) 391-2424.
Lynn loved flowers, so flowers are appreciated, or a memorial gift may be made to these suggested organizations: the American Cancer Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center, or Katy First United Methodist Church.