Memorials › Mary Jane Kubelka Kocurek
Mary Jane Kubelka Kocurek
6 Aug 1939 – 1 Sep 2021
| Birth | 6 Aug 1939 |
| Death | 1 Sep 2021 |
| Cemetery | Morton Cemetery Richmond , Fort Bend County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | Carolyn Brinkmeyer on 06 Sep 2021 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/231744511 |
Bio
Fort Bend Herald, September 7, 2021: Mary Jane Kocurek was born on August 6, 1939 to Willie and Annie Kubelka. She passed away peacefully at her Richmond home on September 1, 2021. Mary Jane Kubelka was raised on a farm between Beasley and Kendleton — on land owned by her grandparents. She went to elementary school in Beasley, and then to Lamar Junior High and Lamar High School in Rosenberg. Her family was of Czech descent and Mary Jane grew up speaking Czech before she learned English. Her grandfather never did learn English, so she was his translator/interpreter until she was in 8th grade, going with him wherever he went. Coming from a farming family, Mary Jane had after school and weekend jobs when she was in high school. She met William Kocurek, her future husband, at the cafe where she worked. They were married just ten days after her high school graduation by the Brethren minister at Texas A & M on June 10th, 1958. Mary Jane owned and operated a donut shop which helped finance her college education at the University of Houston. Mary Jane Kocurek graduated from the University of Houston in elementary education. She taught fifth grade in Lamar Consolidated Independent School District for three years and then followed her love of reading and books to get her library certification from University of Texas. She then worked as a librarian in LCISD for 26 years — opening libraries at Crocket and at Lamar Junior High. Mary Jane and William traveled extensively — spending time in Alaska and the Czech Republic, and even taking a trip around the world in 1990. One trip she and William took just after her retirement was a 90 mile backpacking trip along the Resurrection Trail in Alaska — just the two of them hiking and camping along the trail for days. Mary Jane started volunteering as a docent with the Fort Bend Museum just after the museum was given the Moore home in 1975. She did anything that needed to be done: cleaning the home, giving tours, helping with events, including Texan Market Days and Candlelight Tours. Mary Jane served as the Docent President in 1985. She has decorated, at one time or another, every room in the Moore Home for Candlelight Tours, and served as the Chairman for that event as well. Her contribution for many years was to help with publicity for docent activities. Mary Jane was also a member of the Garden Club of Richmond, served as Membership Chair for the Friends of George Memorial Library, contributed to the Rainbow Room, and helped with the library at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Sugar Land. She was a member of the Czech Heritage Society has contributed both time and treasures to the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in LaGrange, Texas. Mary Jane was selected to join Delta Kappa Gamma, a teachers sorority, in their local chapter, Epsilon Omega, during her years in the school district. Mary Jane was an avid reader — reading up to a book a day. She loved getting books as gifts and even had friends with whom she traded books. One of her loves was her yard. She was always happy to see her flowers blooming and her caladiums popping out of the ground in the spring. Her family was very important to her. There were many lean years for her four younger siblings, so Mary Jane would supply them with school clothes and Christmas presents. Mary Jane would host wonderful, memorable Christmas parties for the Kubelka family. Mary Jane attended the Community Christian Church in Rosenberg. She was very active in her Church. Mary Jane is survived by two brothers, Stanley Kubelka, and Eugene Kubelka and his wife. Kay; two sisters, Bernadette Hurta and husband, Edward, and Martha Grygar and husband, David. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Alice Kocurek, Frances Kocurek Wheat, Glen and Jane Kocurek Hill, and Jon Brooks. Visitation will be 5-7:00 pm Friday, September 10, 2021, at Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Due to covid concerns, there will be a private family funeral service followed by burial in Morton Cemetery, Richmond, TX. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to Community Christian Church, 5220 Reading Rd., Rosenberg, TX 77471, to Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, Inc., P.O. Box 6, La Grange, TX 78945, to Ft. Bend History Assoc., P.O. Box 460, Richmond, TX 77406, or to a charity of your choice. Condolence messages may be written for the Kubelka/Kocurek family at www.garmanycarden.com. Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471. (281) 342-4671.
Inscription
MARRIED JUNE 10, 1958 ~TOGETHER WE LOVED, TOGETHER WE LABORED, TOGETHER WE REST She loved learning and teaching. World Traveler, Community Volunteer, Gardener, Aunt to many - She loved much. Our ground time here is brief. Delta Kappa Gamma
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