Rosalie Mary Lewandowski passed away into her Eternal Rest with family and loved ones present on Friday, November 9, 2018 at her son’s home, her new home, in Austin, Texas. She was 87 at the time of her death and eternal birthday. That moment was very peaceful and very painless for her. She let go with the acceptance, support, comfort, and assurance from all of those around her as her dynamics prepared her for her physical and spiritual transition to everlasting peace. She was born on January 8, 1931, in Rosenberg, Texas. The youngest child, she spent her early years helping her family with their farm in the Grimes County area. She spoke only in Polish until she began to learn the English Language around the age of 8.
In 1948, she married the love of her life, Maxie Lewandowski, his Rose, to whom she had been happily married to for 59 years. Her late husband’s career took her from Rosenberg, to Falfurrias, to Encino, Texas and finally to the Rio Grande Valley where she lived in La Reforma, then Moorefield Road, and finally, their home in McAllen, Texas.
A very avid gardener, loving plants tremendously, she will be most remembered as a very dedicated caregiver to her husband, children and family. Her devotion to care giving extended well beyond her family. She spent 40 years in the Health Care Services providing care giving and private nursing services. We applaud her for this valuable devotion.
Rosie is survived by her two daughters, Wanda Kotara (Ray) of Mansfield, Texas and Carolynn Falk of Dallas, Texas and one son, Ken Lewandowski of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her three grandchildren; Eric Kotara (Sussann) of Austin, Texas, Emily Falk and Sarah Meredith, and three great grandchildren; Nate and Lexi Wood of McKinney, Texas and Eli Kotara of Austin, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maxie J. Lewandowski; daughter, Baby Mary and granddaughter, Kimberly Dawn Kotara. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Scholwinski, Verna Pavlock, Victoria Valicek, Martha Witzkowski and Christine Janecka and brother John Witzkowski.
Her wishes were that she be cremated. The family will receive friends at Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) Catholic Church, located at 1108 W. Hackberry Ave. in McAllen, TX on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service and Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at the same location. Burial of her remains along side and with her husband will follow at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery, located at 2520 S. Inspiration Road in Mission, Texas at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.
