Bobette Elaine Nesbitt

Bobette Elaine Nesbitt passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of September 22, 2024 after courageously battling breast and bone cancer for the past year. She was 65. She died where she has lived for the past 40 plus years, in her beloved Austin, Texas. Bobette was born on August 21, 1959 in Menard, Texas. Although her mother and older sister were living in Eden, Texas, at the time, Eden didn’t have a hospital and Menard was the closest city with one. They were living with Bobette’s grandparents while her father was stationed in Alaska. Even though Bobette’s father’s Navy career would take them to many different states, including California, Washington, Hawaii and lastly Texas, Bobette and the family would return to Eden and Menard to visit family on many occasions. As a girl, Bobette loved visiting her Aunt “Grannie” and Uncle Roy, who lived in Menard. One of Bobette’s favorite things to do was to go to work with Uncle Roy, who was a rancher in the area. He taught Bobette how to drive his pickup and identify young Mesquite trees so he could spray them. He also taught her about gardening. Perhaps it was then that Bobette started to love the outdoors which led to her becoming an avid and accomplished vegetable gardener. In the early 70’s Bobette’s father, Robert Carl Nesbitt, was stationed in South Texas, at the naval base in Beeville, for 5 years. Bobette attended middle school and most of high school in Beeville before moving back to California for 2 years before her dad’s retirement. Upon Robert’s retirement in 1977, the family moved to San Angelo to be close to family. Bobette was an avid reader and an excellent student. After high school graduation (Class of 1977) in Sunnyvale, California, she attended Angelo State University. Her love of adventure and travel took her to new places by car, often alone, allowing her to explore new territories and visit out-of-state friends. After Bobette’s fathers’ untimely death at the age of 49 in 1984, her adventurous spirit led her once again to travel and live in various places in Texas, including Blanco County where she lived on and worked a garlic farm for a year. Bobette moved to Austin and after living in different locations around the city, she settled at the Sunflower Co-Op in 1999, where she lived for 25 years and became the longest running “Sunny” resident. While living in Austin Bobette enrolled at The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School and was so proficient at massage and loved it so much that she was asked to stay and teach at the school. She loved learning about human anatomy as well as how our emotional and spiritual lives impact our bodies. Bobette took what she learned to both teach it and put it into practice in her own private message practice. Bobette’s messages of love and healing were felt and experienced by all of her clients. Bobette was a loyal friend. She loved living at the Co-Op and because there were so many housemates coming and going she made hundreds of friends. She was known for her humor, honesty, directness, gentleness and passion. She was a champion for the marginalized and oppressed. She was loved by many, including her sister, Gayle Nesbitt Vittorini and husband, Steve, their two children, Stephen and Hope Vittorini, Bobette’s brother, Mike Nesbitt and daughters, Amber & Lee Stewart and boys, and Ashley Nesbitt. Bobette was affectionately known as “Bita” in her family (and eventually Aunt Bita)- a nickname that made its way into her friend circle. Her family would like to thank all of her so many close friends who cared for Bobette in her greatest time of need this past year, especially Nina Johnson and Kris Dudley. Bobette was preceded in death by both of her parents, Ina Nesbitt Thornton in 2020 and Robert Carl Nesbitt in 1984. Bobette will be truly missed by her family and hundreds of friends. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Sunflower Co-Op 1122 South 3rd Street, Austin, TX 78704 A Celebration of Life Service will be held at El Mercado Restaurant 1302 South 1st Street, Austin, TX 78704 On Friday, October 18th @ Noon.

Bobette Elaine Nesbitt

August 21, 1959 - September 22, 2024