Long-time Austin activist Anne C. McAfee passed away on Saturday.
McAfee, 82, passed away at her home last Saturday after complications from a stroke she suffered while attending a protest against abortion restrictions late last month, during State Sen. Wendy Davis’ filibuster of the bill.
Born on Oct. 15, 1930, McAfee grew up enmeshed in politics. She served as an organizer for political campaigns dating back to the 1944 gubernatorial campaign for Minnie Fisher Cunningham. She worked to found the Save Barton Creek Association and was an officer in the Austin League of Women Voters.
Austin Democrats praised the life-long Austinite after her passing, including Congressman Lloyd Doggett, State Sen. Kirk Watson and Mayor Lee Leffingwell.
“She was a dedicated community servant and a strong voice on many important issues, for which she fought until the end,” Leffingwell said. “Anne’s work will reverberate through the multitudes of people she touched.”
Jan Soifer, chairwoman of the Travis County Democratic Party, said McAfee's presence at the Capitol was no surprise, but that her presence in the future will be missed.
"Her passing leaves big shoes empty -- shoes no one can fill," Soifer said. "But I know Anne would want us to keep standing, keep fighting and keep being heard. Keep standing in her memory. Let us all hope we can one day make the impact Anne made."
McAfee is survived by her husband Bill, her five children, 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for Saturday morning, with a public celebration at Green Pastures Restaurant afterwards from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The family encourages donations to Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, SafePlace Austin and the Capital Area Food Bank in lieu of flowers.
