Mary Alice Emerson

September 3, 2021, into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with her three daughters

by her side.

Mary was born on September 24, 1945 in El Paso, Texas as the youngest child of Teresa

(Rodriguez) and Zeferino Marusich. She grew up in El Paso and graduated from Loretto

Academy in 1963. After graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1967 with a

Bachelor of Arts degree in education, Mary started her career as an elementary school teacher.

Soon after graduating from college, Mary was set up on a blind date by mutual friends for an

Army officers’ dance, where she met the love of her life, U.S. Army First Lieutenant Douglas

(“Doug”) Allen Emerson, who was stationed at Fort Bliss. After a six month courtship, they

married in January 1968. Doug’s early career with Prudential Insurance took the newlyweds to

Houston, then to New Jersey, and finally settling in the Dallas area; first in Richardson in 1971

and then in Plano in 1977. Mary and Doug lived in Plano for almost 44 years, enjoying a busy

and bustling life with their three girls. They made it a priority to foster a home of love and

respect, and they took great pride and joy in their closely-knit family. Their favorite times were

when the whole family was together.

Mary was a stay-at-home mom extraordinaire. In between driving her girls to all their sports and

activities and volunteering at their schools, she spoiled them with afternoons of board games,

crafts and homemade after-school treats. She was a talented seamstress, always fulfilling their

desires for doll clothes and Halloween costumes. She was SuperMom.

After staying home with her family for almost 20 years, Mary returned to her passion of teaching,

becoming a kindergarten teacher at Crossbend Christian Academy for over 15 years. Both as a

mom and a teacher, Mary always went above and beyond, and had the same high expectations

for her daughters and students. She was known for her listening ear, good advice, big smile and

warm hugs. Her spunky personality followed her wherever she ventured.

Affectionately known to her ten grandkids as “Mimi,” Mary was always their biggest cheerleader.

It did not matter the activity - Mimi was always there “with bells on!” Mimi made sure she had a

loving and special relationship with each one. If she wasn’t with her “grands” or her daughters,

she was doing one of her other favorite sports: shopping, reading, mastering crossword puzzles,

going to lunch with friends or talking on the phone.

All who knew Mary knew of her love for her family and her friends. Most of her friends had been

friends for decades, a testament to her loyalty and love for those in her life. Everyone who

entered her warm and welcoming kitchen was instantly offered a drink or a little snack, and she

would not take “no” for an answer.

Mary is survived by her three daughters and their families: Chrissy and Roger Braugh, Jr. and

their children, Evelyn, Audrey and Cullen of Corpus Christi, Texas; Kathy and Kirk Dreyer and

their children, Kyle, Luke, Mark and Neve of Richardson, Texas; and Sarah and James “JD”

Dudley and their children, Gray, Emerson and Maryn of Richardson, Texas. Mary is also

survived by her two older brothers, Zeff Marusich of Andover, Massachusetts and Paul Marusich

of Montgomery, Alabama, and her older sister, Genevieve (Marusich) Figaro of Forest, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, her parents and her older sister, Mary

Estelle (Marusich) Lujan. She leaves behind many adored nieces, nephews, extended family,

and dear friends.

The family is heartbroken by Mary’s passing but is comforted knowing that she is in eternal

peace with her Heavenly Father. They would like to thank family and friends for all their love and

support throughout Mary’s journey and during this very difficult time for her family.

Mary will be interred at the columbarium of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, the family’s

parish of 50 years. Her eternal resting place will be with her husband and next to her older

sister.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s memory to one of these foundations: the

American Liver Foundation, the National Kidney Foundation or the COPD Foundation, in honor

of her husband’s memory. All of these organizations help fund research to improve the lives of

loved ones living with these chronic illnesses.