Fenners’ endowment
supports hematology
research at Baylor
If you grew up in Lakewood near
Herbert and Nan Fenner in the
1970s and ’80s, it’s likely that you
have a handmade keepsake from
them — perhaps a wooden rocking
horse from Herb or a crocheted baby
blanket from Nan. And if you ever
visited the Fenners, you never left with
an empty belly. Nan made sure of
that.
Generosity and community were
“Baylor was very good to Nan and to her husband,
and she wanted to make sure
there was a legacy left to Baylor.”
in their DNA. And though they didn’t
— David Sigel
have children of their own, the
Fenners’ giving spirit lives on. In
gratitude for the care that they both
received throughout the years at
Baylor University Medical Center at
Dallas, they designated the hospital
as the ultimate beneficiary of their
estates.
After Herb’s death from leukemia
in 1988, Nan continued her support
of Baylor until her death at age 94.
Upon Nan’s death, their estate of
approximately $1 million was used to
establish the Herbert E. and Nannie
Lee Fenner Endowment Fund for
Hematology Research at Baylor
Dallas.
Both Fenners worked hard, saved
hard and were fiscally conservative,
said David Sigel, the Fenners’
godson. Herb spent nearly three
decades with General Motors as a
CPA, and Nan worked for the FBI in
Dallas for 25 years. David’s mother Baylor. Because the cancer was
became lifelong friends. few weeks after his diagnosis.
also worked there, and she and Nan
Keeping her allegiance with the FBI
quite advanced, he only lived for a
Nan enjoyed good health for most
intact, Nan rarely discussed her of her life and saw an internist at
Assassination investigation. However, three internists,” David said. “They
involvement with the Kennedy
she had a direct interaction with Lee
Harvey Oswald, and that encounter
led to her being a key participant in
the Warren Commission. This
required that she spend a significant
amount of time following the
assassination in Washington, D.C.,
testifying before the commission.
When Herb needed heart surgery in
1959, he had it at Baylor. He and Nan
were grateful for Herb’s care and
became friends with Boone Powell
Sr., and later, Boone Powell Jr.
In 1988, Herb was diagnosed with
leukemia. Again, he sought care at
12
Baylor for checkups. “She outlived
never went without but were old-
school and wanted to make sure that
Baylor had the proceeds,” David
said. “Baylor was very good to Nan
and to her husband, and she wanted
to make sure there was a legacy left
to Baylor.”
For more information about
planned giving, contact Cynthia
Krause at 214.820.7928 or Cynthia.
[email protected].
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