Elizabeth Faneuf Underhill
Elizabeth Faneuf Underhill, 85, passed away December 5, 2013, in Dallas. “Dee Dee”, was born in Buffalo, NY to Leston and Betty Faneuf, and attended Buffalo Seminary School and Colby College. After marrying Bill Underhill in 1949, they accepted her father’s offer for him to begin a career with the new Bell Helicopter division in Texas, a branch of Bell Aerospace, located in Buffalo.
After having two biological children and living a happy life together in Dallas, Dee Dee said to her husband, “We are not finished yet.”Three more children were to come into their care. In 1977, after two separate adoptions, a true passion began to develop. Having worked in real-estate many years, she became a volunteer case worker for the International Rescue Committee, a world-wide organization, responding to the worst humanitarian crisis and helping with foreign and domestic aid. After four years, she became the director of the Dallas office, continuing to work for 20 years. She also loved animals; caring and nurturing turtles, birds, dogs, cats, rabbits, and stray animals.
She will forever be remembered for selflessness, wisdom, never-ending nurturing, congeniality, unconditional love, and her constant determination to always fulfill each. A member of The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation for 50 years, her faith in Christ was prudent and she did all good works through Him.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur W. “Bill” Underhill III, and numerous relatives. She is survived by five children; Jane Howdeshell, Bill Underhill, Robert Underhill, Amy Lang, and Elizabeth Trieu, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Ave, Dallas, Friday, December 20 at 2:00 p.m. A small reception will follow. Please send memorials, in honor of Elizabeth F. Underhill, to Holt International Children’s Services; www.holtinternational.org. Click Ways to Give and choose Memorial Giving. Two of her children were adopted through Holt, and it always held a special place in her heart.
