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Sharon Dincans Steen 1938-2021
April 13, 1938 - November 30, 2021
Sharon Dincans Steen was born in Dallas, Texas on April 13, 1938 to Louise Todd
and was adopted at birth by Jennings and Florence Dincans of Houston. She was
raised in Houston with her brother Burton Dincans enjoying a loving and idyllic
childhood. Sharon attended Lamar High School in Houston, the Hockaday School in
Dallas and the University of Texas in Austin.
Sharon is predeceased by her parents Jennings and Florence Dincans, her brother
Burton Dincans, her birth mother, Louise Todd Madsen, her stepfather Jack
Madsen and her remarkable friend, E. M. "Buck" Schiwetz. Survived by her loving husband Gary Dunnam of Victoria and by her children Lias
Jeff Steen (Barbara) of Houston, Shannon Steen Mann (Jamie) of Houston,
Jennings Steen (Yuniedth) of Austin and stepdaughter Katharine Dunnam Tretter
(Kevin) of Austin. Her lasting legacy is bright as she is survived by six
wonderful and talented grandchildren, Jake Steen of Houston, Fauye Bennett of
Austin, Ian Jennings Mann of San Antonio, Emma Louise Mann of Fort Collins, CO,
Scarlett Jennings Steen of Austin and Lias Fletcher Steen of Houston. The
grandchildren called her "Ma'am" because she was forever telling her
oldest grandchild Jake to say "Yes Ma'am" when he was a baby and she
has been "Ma'am" ever since....
She is also survived by her lifetime friend and the father of her children,
Lias "Bubba" Steen of Westhoff and a wonderful group of nieces and
nephews. Barbara Steen Smith of Corpus Christi, Tricia Mayfield Crane (Joe) of
Bay City, Mark Steen (Terrie) of Corpus Christi, Russell Mayfield (Dawnica
Owens) of Corpus Christi, Casey McDonough (Julie) of Edmond, OK, Brady
McDonough (Kelly) of Edmond, OK and Kyle Burton Dincans (Nikki) of Hockley, TX.
Also surviving Sharon are multitudes of creative and successful cousins and
cherished friends.
Sharon's life can best be described as a "life well
lived"! Her engaging smile was an open invitation to friends and strangers
alike. While she grew up in Houston, her personality was better suited to a
smaller community, and over the past 60 years, Cuero and Victoria repeatedly
reaped the benefits of her civic enthusiasm and her refusal to take
"no" for an answer!
She took great pride in breaking barriers and upsetting apple carts. Sharon was
the first woman to run for and be elected to the Cuero City Council, opening
the door for many qualified women to serve in elected office over the next 50
years. She ran for Mayor and only came up a few votes short in a still-standing
record turnout, but a woman running for Mayor certainly got the "good ole
boys" at the Cuero Dairy Queen stirred up.......
Sharon was proudly progressive, open minded and a champion for those
individuals less fortunate than herself. While many folks adopted pets, she
adopted people, especially those that may have been in a rough place in life.
While she was long on advice, she was even longer on compassion, love and
empathy. Sharon was never happier than when a troubled friend recovered and
went on to lead a healthy, happy life. She was vulnerable and emotional while
extending a gentle hand that was strong and secure, a wonderful trait that
comforted many people who faced difficulties in their lives.
She was a tireless advocate for all things artistic and for
historic preservation, even after surviving her "Tie-Dyed, burlap bag and
zebra wallpaper phase" as a Founding Member of "Mama Mussett's
Terrell Street Mod Squad" in the mid 1960's.....
She survived breast cancer when she was 44 years old and found her birth mother
in the process. That event opened a wonderful chapter in the second half of her
life and her combined and expanded family was greatly enhanced and all get
along splendidly to this day!
She met the love of her life 35 years ago and crafted a life and marriage with
Gary Dunnam. It was a loving union filled with incredible music, art,
unstoppable laughter, fine wine and special times with creative and engaging
friends from all walks of life. Legendary dinner parties under grand crystal
chandeliers with spirited conversation was the order of the day. She could not
cook a lick, but Gary's culinary prowess in the kitchen made an invitation to
Liberty Street and Glass Street a coveted ticket. Sharon's table settings and
dining decor were ornate, eclectic and chocked full of unmatched whimsy. Sharon's personal sense of style could best
be described as unique, bold and elegant..... You knew the moment she entered
any room, it demanded your attention and it generally made you smile... Gary
loves to tell the story of when they were appearing before the Victoria City
Council in support of a historic preservation project. It was required to step
up to the microphone and give your name, Sharon steps up and says confidently,
"I am, Sharon Steen!" Once she finished her impassioned remarks, Gary
steps up and says, "I am Mr. Sharon Steen!" Everyone in the room had
a good laugh! That's just the way Sharon Steen rolled.....In Victoria, she
never saw a civic project she could refuse to support when they issued a call
for help. Over the years she served in leadership and key volunteer positions
in a long list of civic and philanthropic organizations.
Sharon served three terms as President of the Victoria Regional Museum
Association, President of the Victoria Fine Arts Association and President of
Victoria Parks and Recreation. She served as Chairperson for the Victoria
Holiday Lights Project, Member of the Victoria Planning Commission and on the
Steering Committee for the Restoration of the 1892 Victoria County Courthouse.
Sharon served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity, Victoria Preservation Inc.
and was honored to be selected as one of three South Texas Women of the year in
2000. She served for years as part of the Reach to Recovery team of the
American Cancer Society. During her
lengthy terms as chairman of the exhibits committee at the Nave Museum,
Sharon's extensive knowledge of art and connection to notable Texas artists
enabled the museum to have numerous exhibits of a recognized standard of
excellence. Along with like-minded
friends she worked to establish the DeWitt County Historical Museum,
reinvigorate The Turkey Trot into Turkey Fest and served on the board of
Bluebonnet Youth Ranch.
She was not overly religious, but deeply and profoundly
spiritual. She lived and taught the importance of "listening to your inner
voice", not letting the difficulties and distractions of daily life get in
the way of your intended destination. She encouraged everyone who would listen
to "get off the beaten path and to march to a different drummer," if
it so suited you. Sharon was passionate
about teaching her children and grandchildren to embrace diversity, extend
compassion and always to respect others, no matter what differences existed.
Like most mothers and grandmothers, she would bend your ear about how proud she
was of her brood and how well they were prepared for the bumps in life. She fought a graceful and valiant battle with
Alzheimer's and left on her own terms in a peaceful way.
In a private ceremony, her ashes will be interred at
Evergreen Cemetery in the Dincans' family plot next to her parents. Per her
specific instructions, a festive and appropriate memorial service will be
planned at her beloved Windy Hill Ranch in DeWitt County in the coming months.
As her friend Buck Schiwetz would say, the memorial service will be an occasion
for "urologies (eulogies) to be given!"
The family is grateful for the care and concern of Pola
Gutierrez, Natalio Marquez, Del Staten, Ronnie Acosta, Reyes Sherman, and her
loving team of care givers.
Memorials can be made to Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Avenue, Victoria, Texas 77901, The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, PO Box 866, Cuero, TX 77954, the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, FL. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or to any organization of your choice.
GOD BLESS YOU "MA'AM!" Thank you for the difference you made in this
world and ALL our lives!!
Published by Houston Chronicle on Dec. 12, 2021.
