Mary Ann Cantrell

Her life was anchored in an unwavering faith in God, and it was that faith that shaped everything else — her marriage, her family, her work, and her tremendous love for everyone she met. To know Mary Anne was to be loved by her, fully and without condition.

She was born on December 19, 1930, to Charles and Mary Lamza, and was raised surrounded by family and faith from the start.

In the early 1960s, Mary Anne served as a high-ranking civilian servant with the United States Air Force in Okinawa, Japan. During a period of political unrest, she was considered important enough that her husband was sent home to care for their children while she was transported to the base for her protection. To reach the base safely, she dressed in traditional Okinawan clothing to move through the unrest unnoticed — a story most who knew her never heard, and one that says as much about her character as anything that came after.

Mary Anne dedicated more than 35 years to St. David's Hospital in South Austin, working in Medical Records overseeing birth certificates. One of her favorite parts of the job was visiting the newborns. At home, she kept a garden free of weeds and full of vegetables and flowers, and she was always generous with what it produced — especially her garlic.

She was a proud member of KJZT for over 50 years. She joined Poth Society #40 in 1944 and transferred to Austin Society #135 in 1974. During her membership she held many offices then in 1990 she proudly became the State Director. During her tenure, she traveled around the state to help all the societies. In addition to the State Conventions, Mary Anne had the opportunity to represent KJZT by attending the National Fraternal Congress of America in Washington DC. When she retired, Mary Anne was a recipient of the Gold Level Award.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David Rogers; her son, Robert; her son-in-law, Frank and Gene; her granddaughter, Becky; her great-granddaughter, Victoria; her parents; and her siblings.

Mary Anne is survived by her five children, Mary, Charles, Virginia, Lawrence, and Donald; two children-in-law, Anita and Phyllis; twelve grandchildren and five grandchildren-in-law; fourteen great-grandchildren and six great-grandchildren-in-law; and fourteen and a half great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will take place Monday evening 4:00 to 8:00 PM with the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 2620 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 10000 David Moore Drive, Austin, TX 78748, with interment to follow immediately after at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78704.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the church memorial fund.

Mary Anne's faith never stayed private. It moved outward, into every relationship she had, until it became the love she was known for. That love remains — in her children, her grandchildren, and everyone who carries her memory forward.