Mary Alice Hults

On November 24, 1946, Mary married Melvin Eugene Hults at St. Mary's Cathedral in Galveston, Texas. Melvin passed in January 1998; they were married for 53 years. Mary was always looking out for everyone else’s needs, showing her constant concern and fondness for all. Mary was tenderhearted and sensitive, qualities that served her well in helping to nurture her family and be a faithful friend.

Mary was wonderful and loving parent who was always willing to provide for her family. For Mary, parenting was a particularly enjoyable and pleasurable part of her life. Mary's skill at understanding her children's feelings, her sensitivity to their needs, and her gift for gentle persuasion enabled her to help them to grow to the people they are today. Mary was blessed with three children: Robert Eugene Hults, Elizabeth Hults Smith and Michael Melvin Hults. She was also blessed with three grandchildren, Lauren, Megan and Graham.

Mary was always excited by life’s possibilities, traits that made her an exceptional worker. Her primary occupation was "life". She was part of the original U. S. X-ray Survey Team in the 40's and 50's and took hundreds of thousands of X-rays across the United States. Mary was enterprising, inventive and working seemed to energize her. Mary had the uncanny ability to identify a win/win solution to just about any problem, possibly because of her gift for insight. Mary’s friends saw her as a supporter and a mentor.

Because Mary loved to have a broad variety of activities in her life, she was always busy and on the go. Her favorite pursuits were church activities, movies, and socializing with family and friends. Mary's ever-present concern for others always took precedent over her own needs.

In high school, Mary played baseball and almost became part of a professional woman’s league. Mary was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity.

Mary was a woman who was dedicated and devoted to her faith. She was an original founding member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Alter Society in Brownsville, Texas (1966-1991). She was also a founding member of Queen of Angels Chapel and St. Vincent De Paul Society in Spicewood, Texas. She was sympathetic to others and worked tirelessly for her beliefs.

Mary loved traveling. Her favorite vacations were ones that were not planned. Excited about seeing changing scenery and constantly looking for the enjoyment life could offer. Mary took her vacations seriously, well, as seriously as she possibly could. Favorite vacations included Hawaii and Las Vegas with her family.

Mary was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Alicia a Maltese puppy was a best friend for 10 years. Her family was rounded out by her dogs Jessie, Penny, Diesel, Tucker and Sally the cat.

She adapted and, like everything in her life, made it satisfying. Retirement was just another enjoyable change of pace for Mary to master. Her new life involved relocating to Austin in 1991, to be closer to her new granddaughter Megan. Even in retirement, Mary continued to stay in touch with her old friends and like always, made plenty of new ones.

Mary Hults passed away on September 9, 2015 at Brackenridge Hospital Austin, Texas of natural causes. She is survived by her children Robert, Elizabeth and Michael as well as her grandchildren Megan, Lauren, Graham and her extended family Robert Ricketson and Ross MacNames. Services were held at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Mary was laid to rest in Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park in Austin, Texas.

There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Mary. She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Mary Hults for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Mary was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones. She loved life!