Mary Ellen (Roberts) Mokry

Mary Ellen (Roberts) Mokry, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and dear friend departed this world into God's loving arms on July 11, 2012 after a brave three year fight to overcome multiple myeloma.

Mary was born on April 10, 1945 in Dallas, Texas. She was the second daughter of Gene and Margie Roberts. Mary grew up in Dallas, where she graduated from Sunset High School in 1963. When she was 20 years old, Mary took a chance when a friend set her up on a blind date at a local pizza parlor with a young man named William (Bill) G. Mokry. The blind date would result in a lifelong friendship and marriage founded in Christ. Bill and Mary were married December 30, 1967 and were blessed with four loving children and eleven grandchildren.

As a child, Mary would often take trips with her family to Colorado and to Rockport, Texas. Mary grew fond of the fresh mountain air in Colorado and the salty gulf breeze of the Texas Coast. During Bill and Mary's 44 year marriage, Mary was able to rekindle her love for Colorado when the family moved to the Denver area for a brief time. While living in Denver, Mary enjoyed working on her education in interior design at Denver Community College. She was a gifted interior decorator and her home was always beautiful and inviting.

Mary's greatest love has been her family. She was a super-mom and devoted grandmother and sister. She was a constant mentor and source of support for her children and grandchildren, who lovingly refer to her as 'Gigi'. Mary was very close to her sisters as well as her nieces and nephews. Mary often took her children and nieces and nephews to the places she held so dear - Colorado and Rockport. Years later, Mary and Bill would frequently visit Aspen where they enjoyed mountain biking, walking through downtown, and fly-fishing. Throughout her life, Mary demonstrated to her family the meaning of love, forgiveness, and patience.

Mary was dedicated and devoted to the mission of Catholic education. She was a religious education teacher at St. Austin's, a volunteer and fundraiser at St. Michael's Catholic Academy and she managed the St. Michael's Thrift Shop in Austin for over thirteen years. Mary's work and dedication to the thrift shop was instrumental in raising several hundred thousand dollars for St. Michael's Catholic Academy. In 2006, Mary was awarded the prestigious President's "St. Michael the Archangel Award" for outstanding dedication, service, and support to the school. At the same time, Mary was an active member of Emmaus Catholic Church where she volunteered with the elderly and shut-ins.

Mary has always been known as a "woman with a Texas Size Heart". Everyone that knows her knows that she has always put the interest and welfare of her family and friends ahead of her own.

Mary has always been known to her friends and family as a "Woman for Others". Even during her serious illness, she was more interested in the nurses and clinical assistant's lives than she was in her own pain and suffering. Those who cared for Mary grew to love her and took special interest in her fight. It was not unusual for the nurses and the clinical assistants to spend their personal time with her, sitting at her bedside after hours to visit, offer words of love, support, and encouragement during her hospital stay. Her family truly believes the dedication by her caregivers was a reflection of the special love Mary offered those she met. It is safe to say that Mary is one of those very special people you may only meet once in a life time.

The family will receive friends at 6:00 p.m., with a Prayer service to follow at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis, 411 Ranch Road 620 South.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 16, 2012 at Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohmans Crossing in Lakeway.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent in Mary's name to: Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave. 5th floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 or online at www.themmrf.org