Mary Granny M. Noe "Granny"

During her childhood in Vernon, then in Brady, Mary survived the death of her mother, rheumatic fever, and a serious fire—all with a strength and resilience that would characterize her throughout her life. Trained in a WPA camp as a teenager during the Depression, Mary went on to build airplanes as an original “Rosie the Riveter” in Ft. Worth. She moved to Austin in the late 1960s, where she lived out her life. Mary worked for over 10 years as a switchboard operator at the Austin State School, and then for a number of years as a child-caregiver with Grandparents, Unlimited.

Mary was self-educated and a voracious reader and lover of books. Her interests ranged from the study of various religions to belly-dancing and gardening. She was an ardent lover of dogs and Angels (who sometimes inhabited the same form, she believed), and country and gospel music. Her great musical love was Elvis, although her prized possession was a photo taken in her late 80s of Chris Isaak hugging her (rather amorously, she thought). She loved to dance and, with her second husband “DJ Country Jack,” spin country tunes at Austin haunts like Mac & Ginny’s Little Longhorn and the Red Carpet.

Mary was quite proud of her Powder Puff victories at the old Longhorn Speedway, and of her frequent poker winnings. She never missed a chance to visit Vegas, where she was a wiz at Video Poker machines. Mary was also an exercise enthusiast and practiced yoga into her early 90s, but she wasn’t so health conscious that she didn’t try to feed everyone who came into her home the world’s best fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, Texas chili, and Depression-era hushpuppies (a recipe she devised herself, and which no one has duplicated). She also gained some notoriety for the popcorn balls she passed out to the neighborhood at Halloween.

As the matriarch of a tribe that often referred to her as “Granny,” Mary leaves a legacy of six children: Leslie Bradshaw and husband Bob; Suzanne Anderson and wife Judith Meyer; Barry Guthrie and wife Sherry; Larry Guthrie and wife Keeley; Michele Guthrie; and James Guthrie. Although niece Kerry Owens was not a daughter, Mary considered her one. She is also survived by grandchildren Lisa Kocen, J.B. Slimp, Kristopher Anderson, Staci McDonald, Robin Couch, Shelly Carey, Shane Guthrie, Ryan Guthrie, Brooke Hugo, Amanda Simopoulos, and Jesse Maynard III; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She leaves her well-loved dogs, Artie and Miss Pearl, in the care of family.

As she entered the legendary light, we are certain that Mary’s beloved sister, Faye Mathis Owens, and mother, Nettie Bruce Mathis, were there to take her hands and lead her to her next grand adventure, which she will undoubtedly enliven with her wit, spark, and enthusiasm.

Visitation for Ms. Noe will be held on Sunday, June 11, from 1-3 p.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX. Funeral services will also be held at Cook-Walden on Monday, June 12, at 10 a.m.