Mary Elizabeth Cates

Mary’s parents were Herne and Alice Noe. She had one sibling, her older sister, Barbara Noe.Mary went through all of her schooling in Wichita Falls graduating from Wichita Falls High School with special honors in 1943. She attended Hardin Junior College in Wichita receiving a certificate in Business in 1945. From there for the first time she left home to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder. During her short summer session one of her favorite memories was celebrating Victory in Japan – ending WWII ringing the victory bell in Old Main with student friends and dancing allnight (breaking curfew) in the streets to Big Band Music!

That autumn Mary returned to Wichita Falls, Texas and began working for Hardin Junior College, now known as MidWestern University. Her job was to process all Veterans returning home and entering school. She also worked as Secretary for the local Wichita Falls Chapter of the Red Cross. It was during that time in 1946 she met her future husband, Luther O. Cates, Jr. (Bud).

Mary and Bud married on June 8, 1947 in Wichita Falls, Texas. After a honeymoon in Kentucky they moved to Austin, Texas where Mary worked as a secretary in the State Capital Building while Bud attended The University of Texas.

In 1949 their first child was born, Cynthia Louise Cates (Cindy). Shortly afterward they moved to Abilene, Texas. In 1951 their son, Luther Oliver Cates, III (Rusty) was born. Son number three, Joseph Earl Cates (Joe), came along 3 ½ years later in 1954. The family then moved several times like gypsies all around Texas due to Bud’s job – some are Childress, Wichita Falls, Sherman, Abilene (twice), Austin (twice) and Bastrop County.

For the majority of 19 years Mary enjoyed being a stay at home mom for her 3 children, volunteering at their school functions and PTA, being den mother to Cub and Boy Scouts, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, team Mom for all sporting events. She was also a member in the Women’s Optimist Club and played in a monthly Ladies Bridge Group. She always remained active in the church wherever the family lived, teaching Sunday and Bible schools, participating in church circles, and volunteering to help the less fortunate.

At age 40 when her children were almost grown, Mary began working in Austin as a library clerk at Lamar Junior High, then Pearce Junior High. This further validated her love of children and books. After five years Mary left her job and enrolled the the University of Texas and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with Honors in 1976. It was her 50th Birthday of a Bicentennial Year! “Wow,” she said, “I feel so Old!” She followed up by obtaining a second degree majoring in Library Science the next year!

After student teaching at Norman Elementary School, Mary quickly began her new career as Librarian at Pearce Junior High. She was briefly transferred to Walnut Creek, and later became librarian at Robbins Alternative School. She drove over and hour each way from Bastrop to Austin to do what she was passionate about, “teaching children to Love Reading and learning thru Books!”

After a very rewarding 15 years career in school libraries, Mary retired in 1991. She was a lifetime member in The National Education Association, Texas Retired Teachers Association and remained active in the Austin Retired Teacher’s Association until her passing.

In 1996 Mary and Bud moved from Bastrop to Georgetown, Texas. Mary set out at once to become involved in the community and church. She volunteered at Williams Elementary School in Austin – reading to students and helping wherever needed. She joined the First United Methodist Church and joined the Faith Circle. Mary volunteered in the church office, with the Pals Program and in the church library for 18 years until her passing. The church library and children were her passion!

Mary’s hobbies and interests included aerobic swimming, dancing, working puzzles, watching old movies on the TV, and playing games, especially card games. She kept a running card game going with her “card shark” granddaughter, Krystal, for 18 years.

Some of Mary’s favorite things are Beautiful Clouds, Bluebonnets, and Butterflies. She loved Big Band Swing, jitter bug dance music, movies – Gone With the Wind and Meet Me in St. Louis, and she’s had a crush on Frank Sinatra ever since the summer of 1941, when at the age of 18 she rode the train to Chicago becoming one of many teenage girls screaming during Frank’s live concert! She truly loved Texas, socializing and making new friends. “If she knew you, you were her Friend!” She is affectionately known as “Mimi” by her family!

Mimi’s greatest love and passion was spending as much time as possible with her 3 children, their spouses, 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandsons.Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Bud; her parents, Herne and Alice Noe; her in-laws Luther and Dee Cates and her nephew, Jay Johnson.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Cindy and husband Mike Stefko; son, Rusty Cates; her son, Joe and wife Jacquie Cates; 4-grandchildren: Amber and husband Tom Tomescko; Krystal Cates; Melissa Cates; Michael, Jr. and wife Kari Stefko; 5 great grandsons: Tyler and Asher Tomescko; Delling Bonesteel: Kyler and Maxten Stefko. Mary’s sister, Barbara Johnson (Noe); sister-in-law, Dee E. Silva; Niece Barbara Henry; Nephew, Dale Johnson; and many beloved great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to:St. Jude Children’s HospitalAmerican Red CrossYour local Food BankYour local “No Kill” Animal Shelter

A visitation will be held Thursday, May 28, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 393 N. IH-35, Georgetown, Texas 78628. Services will be Friday, May 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 393 N. IH-35, Georgetown, Texas, 78628.  

Following the Service – Mary will be interred at The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas beside her husband where a small prayer service limited to immediate family will be given.

*Note: Required by “all” attending – masks and social distancing. Thank you.