Agnes Elizabeth Swatloski Nowaski was born in Marlin, Texas, June 29, 1940, the first child and only daughter of Johnnie Swatloski and Rosie Rummel Swatloski. Her brother, John William Swatloski, was born November 11, 1941, followed by Donald Wayne Swatloski on June 19, 1948.
Mrs. Nowaski attended school in Marlin and graduated from Marlin High School. After graduation, she trained as an Operating Room Technician under Ms. Mary Valigura at Torbett Hospital in Marlin. After completing this program, she was employed at Torbett Hospital until July 1960.
She married Leonard John Nowaski at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marlin on August 6, 1960. Between 1960— 1965, her husband's employment in road construction resulted in them living in Big Spring, Marlin, Mexia, Glen Rose, Waco and Goldthwaite before settling in Temple in 1965. They were members of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Temple.
Mr. And Mrs. Nowaski were blessed with three sons, Leonard John, Jr., Stephen, and Richard Wayne. In 1976, after their sons were all enrolled at St. Mary's Catholic School, Mrs. Nowaski was employed as secretary at St. Mary's School where she remained until her retirement in June 2009. During her tenure there, Mrs. Nowaski met and became friends with many parents and students from the central Texas area. She enjoyed working in the family atmosphere of St. Mary's School.
Mrs. Nowaski was a member and served as an officer in St. Mary's School's Parent-Teacher Club, and was a member of St. Mary's Church Altar Society.
After retirement she enjoyed relaxing in her leisure time, visiting with family and friends, as well as traveling occasionally. She served as a volunteer in several ministries at St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was a charter member of the Sammons Community Center "Rusty Dusters" who voluntarily entertain at local nursing homes, retirement facilities, and club meetings.
Mrs. Nowaski was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Nowaski, on September 1, 1996, her brother, Donald Swatloski, her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Mrs. Nowaski is survived by sons: Leonard, Jr. and wife Lucille of Waco, Stephen and wife Deb of Plano, and Richard and wife Samantha of Temple; one brother: John Swatloski and wife Patricia of Searcy, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Joyce Swatloski of Denton, Texas; grandchildren Robert Locke of Katy, Lauren Nowaski Meyer and husband R.J. of Waco, Tyler Nowaski and fiancée, Jamie Brown, of Waco; Amber Nowaski of Denison, and Megan Nowaski of College Station, and great-grandchilden, Dream Locke of Katy, McKenna, Hailee and R. J (Ryker) III Meyer of Waco, Dylan Nowaski and Abby Brown of Waco, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church at 1018 South 7th Street, Temple, Texas 76504 or St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
