Mary Ethel Rosenberg Schechter

1927 ~ 2010

Mary Ethel Rosenberg Schechter, 83, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 7, 2010. Born September 17, 1927 and reared in Anniston, Alabama, she was the daughter of Louis and Pauline Rosenberg. She attended the University of Alabama, though for the majority of her life she was an avid fan of the Texas Longhorns.

She married the love of her life, Dr. Robert Schechter, on February 15, 1953. She gave birth to sons Richard, Larry (of blessed memory) and Geoffrey. They settled in Austin in 1955, where she was not only a full-time mom to her sons, but to every family member or friend’s child who attended UT. Her family was often amazed at her tremendous energy and capacity for love.

She was active in civic affairs and the Jewish community. She was a supportive wife, avid bowler and bridge player. With her distinct southern accent and hospitality, she loved to entertain dinner guests and host parties in the home where she and Robert have lived for over fifty years.

Mary Ethel was active in Congregation Beth Israel, serving in many capacities, including as president of both the Sisterhood and the Congregation. She was a member of the City of Austin Planning Commission and the University of Texas Ladies Club where she served in several offices. A strong supporter of the Democratic Party, she served as a precinct chair and often offered unsolicited advice to politicians, including former President Bill Clinton, on how they should run their campaigns. She was a proud pro-choice feminist who never missed a Lady Longhorns basketball game or the annual Planned Parenthood dinner.

Mary Ethel loved to travel, and over the years, she and Robert lived in Scotland and Belgium during sabbatical years, and traveled throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Central & Latin America.

The de facto matriarch of a large extended family, Mary Ethel had a huge heart and was fiercely loyal to her family and friends. Heaven help you if you made her angry, but heaven help the person who said a critical word about you for making her angry.

Among her loving family who will miss her deeply: her husband, Robert S. Schechter; sons Richard Schechter of Houston, and Geoffrey Schechter of Boston; grandchildren, Aimee, Chris, Lillie, and Ruby Schechter; daughter-in-law, Tina Hoffman. Also brothers- and sisters-in-law Joe and Joyce Schechter of Austin, and Arthur and Joyce Schechter of Houston. She is also survived by loving nieces and nephews, Cathy Schechter and Eddie Selig; Cheryl and Andrew Farkas; David Schechter; Leslie and Hedley Karpas; Jennifer and Alan Rosen; and all of their children. She will forever live in our hearts, our memories and our laughter.

The family is eternally grateful to Debbie Pearson and Mary Ethel’s incredible caregivers, Blanca Elias, Susie Nixon, Janie Rivera, Caroline Ighararo, and Angela Dean. We are now convinced that angels walk among us every day.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 3901 Shoal Creek Boulevard. Graveside service will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery, in Pflugerville, TX. In lieu of flowers, send contributions to the Alan Lawrence Schechter Scholar-in-Residence Fund at Congregation Beth Israel, or the charity of your choice.

To share memories of Mary Ethel, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com