Mildred H. Kocurek

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 17 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, August 16, with a rosary service at 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan.

Mildred was born November 14, 1930 in Caldwell, the daughter of Jerome and Agnes (Gabcik) Kocurek. At the age of 8, Mildred was diagnosed with Polio. In 1946, she became the poster child for the March of Dimes. At a special dinner, she was honored to have one of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s cabinet members, Basil O’Conner, seated at her table.

Mildred enjoyed playing the slot machines; she especially loved going to Las Vegas. As time went on, it became difficult for her to travel to Las Vegas, so she enjoyed going to Louisiana. She was a longtime fan of the Houston Astros, finally enjoying a World Championship. Mildred even received a personal autograph from Jeff Bagwell. She loved working outside in her garden and enjoyed listening to Czech music and watching the Lawrence Welk show. She was a longtime and devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Mildred never saw her disability as a limitation as being handicapped in what she could do in life. She was a “glass half full” kind of person instead of a “glass half empty” person. She was very positive no matter what life dealt her.

She had a positive attitude, credit attributed to her parent’s guidance and siblings. The family worked vigorously with Mildred in the exercises that were recommended by her doctors, nurses, and therapists. Mildred loved to take on challenges. She would go anywhere and do anything. She was always open for new adventures. She had a love of animals, especially kitties and cats but she loved all of her furry nieces and nephews of the canine variety. Mildred loved the seashore. She would walk on the edge of the surf with her crutches and giggle as the waves tickled her feet.

Mildred worked as a bookkeeper until she retired at the age of 65. Even after retirement, she kept busy with typing papers and theses of college students and doctorial candidates. She was also the secretary of her condo association for many years.

Mildred is preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ted and Joan Kay, Hubert and Anne Kocurek; sister, Hattie Hubbard; and brother-in-law, Joe Bayer.

She is survived by her sister, Edith Bayer; numerous nieces and nephews, one great-niece and one great-nephew, three great-great nieces and one great-great nephew.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St. Joseph Manor, as well as the staff, nurses and aids with Compassionate Care Hospice for the care they gave to Mildred.

Memorials may be made to the March of Dimes.