Published: September 21, 2008 12:28 am      

Amanda Fink

RICHARDSON — Amanda Olivia Siebenhausen Fink arrived on Feb. 20, 1951, on a rainy day in Wichita Falls. On Sept. 18, 2008, her angels came to accompany her back to Heaven after a 412-day battle with an aggressive form of ovarian cancer.

During her youth, Mandy had the privilege of living and learning in several different places. Her family spent time in Houston, New Orleans, La., England, Holland, and Westport, Conn. where she graduated from Staples High School in 1969. She went on to attend Winthrop College in Rockhill, S.C., and finished her undergraduate degree in education at the University on North Texas in Denton.

At the time of her passing, Amanda was a seventh grade English teacher at Tasby Middle School in DISD. She loved each of her students and cared deeply about education and building brighter futures. She taught in RISD and DISD for more than 17 years enriching the minds of young people. In 2000, she earned a master’s degree in education administration from the University of North Texas in hopes of becoming a school principal.

Prior to her return to teaching in 1991, Mandy was a stay-at-home mother as well as a member of the Junior Group of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League (president 1990-1991), the Junior League of Richardson, the Dallas Historical Society-101 Club, Young Lawyers Wives, and several other social and volunteer organizations. In addition to her work, she enjoyed mystery novels, hot tea, English gardens, warm baths, lying out on the beach, shopping with her daughters and granddaughters and fishing with her son.

She was a faithful follower of Christ and longtime member of Highland Park United Methodist Church. Amanda was a cherished daughter, proud sister, loving aunt, inspiring teacher and close friend to many; but her best and most favorite role was as a mother and grandmother.

Her mother, Harrianna “Anne” Butler Siebenhausen, and grandmother Lois Olivia Rudder Clark predeceased her.

Surviving family members include Amanda’s father, Christian Harman Siebenhausen Jr. and wife Glenna of Commerce; daughters Lauren Elizabeth Shingleton and husband Adam of Austin and Elissa Leanna Lindsey and husband Steven of Atlanta, Ga.; a son, Brian Frederick Fink of Dallas; granddaughters Olivia Jane Shingleton of Austin and Reagan Lauren Lindsey of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister, Karen Anne Weichmann and husband Craig of Greenville; brothers Christian Harman Siebenhausen III and wife Pam of Greenville; and Locke Butler Siebenhausen and wife Nicole of Katy; and nieces and nephews Joelle, David and Evie Beisner of Austin, Karena Weichmann of Austin, Kristianna, Michael, and Ellie Breed of Dallas, Trevor Weichmann of Memphis, Tenn., Christian and Lesley Siebenhausen of Dallas, James, Melissa, and Gryphon Siebenhausen of Greenville and Ivory Kay Siebenhausen of Katy.

Pallbearers will be Brian Fink, Adam Shingleton, Steven Lindsey, C.H. Siebenhausen, Chris Siebenhausen, Locke Siebenhausen, Craig Weichmann, Stephen Fink, George Russell, Gabe Arizmendi, and Chris George.

The family would like to thank Dr. E. Colin Koon and the gynecologic oncology group at Texas Oncology in the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center, as well as the caring nurses and aides with Vitas Hospice Care. We extend a special “thank you” to Delia Robles, HHA, CNA, who cared for Amanda and became her friend during the last days of her life.

Friends are cordially invited to attend a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Sparkman Funeral Home, 1029 South Greenville Avenue, Richardson, 75081.

There will be a memorial celebration of Amanda’s life at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Cox Chapel at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, , with a reception to follow in the chapel parlor. A private graveside service and interment will be held in the Colonial Gardens at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas.

Memorial donation in memory of Amanda S. Fink may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, DFW Chapter, P.O. Box 3092, Coppell, 75019.