Mary "Necy" Gore

Mary Janice Powell Gore (known to her family and close friends as "Necy" and to her grandchildren as "Cece") was born in Richland Springs, Texas on March 10, 1932 and passed away suddenly on Christmas morning, December 25, 2012 at Westminster Manor in Austin, Texas.

Necy was predeceased by her parents, R. J. and Virginia Powell, aunt La Mar Powell, and beloved husband, Albert L. Gore, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Jenny Williams, and son-in-law, Jack, of Georgetown and their children, Julie, Jarrett and Jeremy Williams; her son, Jeff Powell Gore, and daughter-in-law, Diana, of Austin and their sons, Sam and Charlie Gore; her cousin, Carolyn Margraf; sister-in-law, Johnnie Sue Gore Littleton, of Sinton, Texas; and cousin Ann Gore Young and her husband, Dick, of Austin, and their children, Taylor Young and Clair McElroy.

Necy had an idyllic childhood growing up in Richland Springs as an only and beloved child and grandchild, where her father was an Ag teacher and her mother also a schoolteacher. She graduated from Richland Springs High School in 1950. If Texas A&M had admitted women in 1950, Necy would have been first in line. However, as the Aggies were not quite that advanced at the time, she enrolled instead in Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. She remained an Aggie at heart, however, for the rest of her life, and was so proud of her Aggie son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons. At Southwestern, Necy pledged Phi Mu sorority, made many good friends and met the love of her life, Albert, whom she always referred to simply as "Gore." Not long after her college graduation in 1954, she and Albert married and then settled in Austin as their home.

Professionally, Necy was a wonderful elementary school teacher who taught at Gullett Elementary, Hill Elementary, and Becker Elementary. Although she taught several different grade levels over the years, she preferred second grade because, in her words, "I don't have to teach them cursive!" (As a lefty, she hated trying to teach penmanship to a roomful of right-handers.) Her favorite job, however, was as a homemaker and hostess extraordinaire. She simply was one of the best cooks ever to grace a kitchen, and made her family eat healthy foods long before it was fashionable to do so. After one holiday meal, her son Jeff said, "Mom, next year, can we all just take a vitamin and you cook the vegetables a little longer?" She took joy in simply being with her children and grandchildren on birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions, and had celebrated her 80th birthday in March at a family dinner with all grandchildren present. She doted on her grandchildren, and was such a good sport to endure their teasing.

A life-long United Methodist, Necy and Albert were members of First United Methodist Church of Austin and of the Wedding Ring Sunday School Class from the time it was created as a class for young married couples. She also leaves behind dear friends in her sewing club, her Emmaus Reunion Group, and her bridge club. Necy loved to play bridge and probably was secretly disappointed that her family members were so bad at it. She also was a member of the Settlement Club.

A memorial service for Necy will be held Friday, December 28, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca Street, Austin, Texas, with a reception to follow at the church. A private family burial service will be held in San Saba, Texas at a later date.

This beautiful and beloved woman was the heart of our family and will be sorely missed. In lieu of floral tributes, the family asks that you consider donations to the Endowment Fund of First United Methodist Church of Austin.

Proverbs 31:28-29 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'