Mary M Kalinec

Mary was born January 3, 1924 in the Smetana community on the family farm. Her early years were spent in the Smetana School and subsequently Stephen F. Austin High School.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William F. Kalinec, Sr.; her parents, Albert and Annie Haveron; brothers, William Haveron, Robert Haveron and Roy Lee Haveron; sister, Lucille Haveron Batten; son, David T. Kalinec; granddaughter, Tiffany Diana Kalinec; and daughter-in-law, Shirley Charanza Kalinec.

She is survived by her children, William F. Kalinec, Jr. (Elizabeth), Gloria Jean Kalinec O’Brien, Robert E. Kalinec (Cindy), Ronald J. Kalinec (Shirley - deceased), Michael A. Kalinec; daughters-in-law, Tammy Whaley and Linda Kalinec (David -deceased); sister-in-law Mary McCollom (Cread - deceased).

Fourteen grandchildren, Stephanie Lea O’Brien, Patrick Shannon O’Brien, Brian Eugene Kalinec, David Timothy Kalinec, Jr., Matthew William Kalinec, Christopher Lance Kalinec, Cassie Nicole Kalinec McDaniel, Lucas Cade Kalinec, Melissa Kay Kalinec, Allison Diane Kalinec, Jessica Nicole Kalinec, Bryan Eugene Arwood and Donovan Lance Arwood.

Sixteen great-grandchildren, Lila Jean Marie O’Brien Morway, Logan Shannon O’Brien, Ethan James Kalinec, Erin Lea O’Brien, Caleb Tristan Kalinec, Katy Elizabeth Kalinec, Dylan McCoy Blair, Hayden Rose McDaniel, Ava Tiffany Kalinec, Caden Michael Trevino, Adeline Mae McDaniel, Elle Sage McDaniel, Tristan William Kalinec, Kyle Alexander Kalinec, Dakota Lee Blair and Wyatt Laine Blair.

Mary is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Outside of her family, Mary’s greatest love was her involvement with St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan. She had children attending St. Joseph School for 27 consecutive years and grandchildren for an additional 12 years. She was very active in the St. Joseph Altar Society, St. Monica’s Club, St. Joseph Women’s Guild, the KJZT and the American Legion Auxiliary. She also volunteered in the elementary school cafeteria after her retirement.

Mary was employed by Montgomery ward in Bryan for 36 plus years in a variety of areas, including the Credit and Bookkeeping Department, as Catalog Manager, and Group Merchandiser in Fashions and Appliances.

She resided in the same home on Park Street for 66 years where she raised her children before moving to St. Joseph Manor in late 2014. She enjoyed all her neighbors but particularly, the Nuches, Tanners, Fords and Reyes. She was the last (as far as we know) of the original families on Park Street who built homes following WW II.

Mary grew up in the Fountain Switch area of Smetana, a rural community. It was there that she met her future husband, Willie, and many of her lifelong friends. She married just prior to WW II and moved to town (as they say) upon the return of her husband from the war. Mary and Willie rented for a couple of years and then built their home on Park Street in 1948.

As most mothers, Mary particularly loved her children. She spent many hours at St. Joseph School involved with her children’s activities and volunteering to help whenever needed. In her middle and later years, she loved taking care of her grandchildren whenever possible and following their activities. She particularly enjoyed having as many of her children and their families over for the various holidays. She loved taking photos and probably has a million! She almost always remembered birthdays. One of her favorite pastimes was reading the local newspaper, the Bryan Daily Eagle, for which three of her sons were carriers. It was telling in her later years when she said that her best friend was the newspaper, which she read from cover to cover! Lastly, following the death of her husband, she particularly enjoyed the Shriner events and activities with her good friend, Anton Merka, who passed away many years ago.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph Manor where she resided for approximately five years in the Assisted Living section and then the Long Term Care facility. The family would also like to thank the staff at Compassionate Care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School, 600 S Coulter Dr, Bryan, TX 77803 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 507 E 26th Street, Bryan, TX 77803.