Mary Hanna

Mary Hanna, age 91, died in her home on July 9, 2015. A private burial is scheduled for 10am Tuesday July 14, followed by a reception at 11:30 am for friends and family at the home of her son, Russell Hanna, 1011 Muirfield Village in College Station.

Mrs. Hanna was born on February 1, 1924 in Alto, Texas. Her parents were Russell Smith and Frankie Summers Smith. She graduated valedictorian from Alto High School and from Stephen F. Austin State College with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. In her forties, she continued her education at Texas A&M in the field of microbiology, and worked as a food microbiologist until her retirement.

She married Ralph Lynn Hanna on November 1, 1945, after he returned from military service in Italy during World War II. They were married until he died on August 13, 1997. She is also predeceased by her brother Charles Lea Smith and nephew Charles Miller Smith.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Russell and Lanette Hanna, Jim and Tina Hanna, Mary Lynn and Pat Castle, and Martha Hanna and David Denton. She is also survived by her granddaughters and spouses, Ashley and John Blomberg, Gillian and Wayne Smith, Erin and Darrin Hart; grandsons, Jim Castle, and Lynn Castle; and five great grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by sister-in-law and friend, Nan Smith, nephews, John Smith and Jim Atkinson, nieces Ann Rothrock, Cathy Lorino, and Martha Sue Murray.

She was the best mom in the world, not only to her children and their spouses, but to their friends as well, always listening, never judging. She was a wonderful cook, she loved to read and watch birds, and she quilted special quilts for each of her children and grandchildren.

We would like to extend special thanks to Marilyn Kerr and her daughter Temesha Dearing, who cared for mom during her illness, and became her friends as well. Thanks also to Debbie Webb, her “third daughter,” and Jean Leinweber, her dear friend for many years.

The family requests that you donate to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.