The amazing Mary Alma Kahanek (Powell) was born April 30, 1918 to William Grammar Powell and Mattie Picture in Fort Worth, Texas.  Mary was one of seven siblings, Robert, Nell, Bess, Jack, Edwin, and George, all who have preceded her in death.

The Powell and Picture families were, and are, filled with independent, strong and creative individuals, who have pride in going their own way, and always taking care of their responsibilities. This is a perfect description of Mary's philosophy, not as plaque or motto placed on the wall, but by knowing her as a person and the way she lived through her 102 years.

The Powell family lived "in town" in Fort Worth, where Mary grew up and graduated from Polytechnic High School.  Her mother died when she was a young girl, her father remarried, and they continued to live in Fort Worth. Her Dad was an accountant with that structured mind- set, but he unleashed his imagination with inventions, for his own use and to make life more convenient, or he reinvented something, just because the original was not good enough.

During this time, Mary had an accident climbing a tree and lost the sight in her left eye. Even with this challenge, Mary's creative talents came alive as well as her ability to design and sew.  Also, in later years Mary's mind swirled with ideas to recreate/repurpose ordinary items and spaces into something unique (female MacGyver). She enjoyed the challenge of refinishing and remaking furniture, transforming lack luster pieces into items with purpose and personality.  She had her own fixer upper reality show decades before HGTV.  That spark must have come from watching her Dad, sorta like a silent apprentice.

Mary moved to San Antonio and roomed with two girls who later became her best friends.  Here she met Eugene Kahanek, who was the one, no doubt about it, sparks lit up the town; they married in March, 1939. In 1941, they were delighted and so proud when they had their first child, Gary.  Eugene (Gene) worked for Addressograph-Multigraph and a job transfer took them to Atlanta, GA. They enjoyed their years in Georgia, especially with the birth of a daughter Connie, later a son Glenn, and then, the baby daughter, Becky. The family of six had several moves through the years, Richland Hills, TX, Houston, TX, Lubbock, TX, then settling back in Houston.

Gene, the love of Mary's life (Genzie as she called him) died too soon in 1971.  A true challenge came when it was necessary for Mary to manage on her own.  Financially, it was extremely difficult, and no one ever knew the sacrifices she made during this time. Always a wise manager of finances, she enjoyed research and knew with more knowledge, she could make informed decisions with her money. Never a victim, but a courageous, determined and enterprising woman, Mary made her own way, and over the years with an abstemious lifestyle she became a woman of "independent means".

The pioneer aspect of Miss Mary's personality was never more evident than when she would spend several weeks at a time, alone, on The Farm in Swiss Alp, TX.  Imagine this beautiful lady, mending fences, rounding up cattle, putting out square bales of hay, cooking over a wood stove, and fending off the critters!!  There may have been one or two shotgun blasts heard from time to time. When in Houston, you would find Mary in her yard creating a serene, casual environment as her retreat. After hours of physical activity, that would make any landscape crew proud, she would sit in her swing, prop up her feet, meditate, listen to the Balinese wind chimes, and imagine she was floating along with the clouds.

Mary was a 2 ^nd Mom, and an astute and enlightened counselor for her precious loved ones……kids, grand, great, great great, and nieces and nephews. These loved ones expressed their depth of feeling in the Birthday Card for her 100 ^th Birthday. Note: the polka dot dress worn by Mary on the front of this Birthday Card was designed and sewn by her. She was 18 at the time, and the picture was taken while she was standing in line to interview for a modeling job for a department store in San Antonio.

This provident lady had a plan to enjoy her 102 ^nd Birthday, and she did. How lucky for us!!

We are blessed to have experienced and shared the life of this extraordinary person, just think of all the loving memories that will always warm our hearts.

Thanks to God for his steadfast Love that endures Forever

Mary is in the Arms of Angels

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Eugene A. Kahanek, son, Gary Eugene Kahanek, and daughter, Rebecca Kathleen Kahanek.

Mary is survived by Daughter Connie Stevens and her husband Joe Stevens, Jr. and their son Joshua Spivey, of Spring, TX, and their daughters, Paige Holsapple of Katy, TX and Megan Cardet of Houston, TX; and Son Glenn Kahanek of The Woodlands, TX

Sharon Kahanek, wife of Gary Kahanek (deceased) of Brazoria, TX, their children, Son, Tony Kahanek, his children, Ryan Kahanek and his daughter, Penelope; daughters, Madi and Ava, son Tristan of Freeport, TX; Son, Mike Kahanek and his partner Jim Wojcik of Lake Jackson; Daughter, Stacy Watts and husband Michael, and their children Gavin, Parker, Gracy, and Ruby of Dallas, TX.

Niece Gail Hickman and her husband, Lester of Arlington, TX, and their children Stephan Hickman and his partner John Leopold of Dallas, TX., Tammy Enzman and her husband Robert and their daughter Sarah of Arlington, TX.

Niece Dolly Joseph and her husband Don of Austin, TX.

Nephew Rodney Powell and his wife Janice of Llano, TX, and their children, Ben Powell and his wife, Amy of Austin, TX. and Valerie Powell of Pearland, TX.

Nieces Vicki Johnson of The Woodlands, TX., and Jill Zeigler and her husband Bill of Azle, TX.

Nephew James Hightower and his wife Margaret of Houston, TX.

The internment of Mary Powell Kahanek's ashes will be in The Klein Memorial Park, 9714 FM 2920, Tomball, TX 77375, in the Urn Garden of the Heart.  The family will plan a Memorial Service when safety and travel are not an issue due to the Covid environment.