Mary Virginia Soderberg

Mary was born on October 15, 1923 in Beaumont to Mary Belle Farrell and Cecil Neece. She spent her childhood in East Texas and Louisiana and was a graduate of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School in Beaumont. Growing up in poverty during the Great Depression left Mary with a strong sense of resilience and a drive to succeed that remained with her throughout her life. During World War II, she worked at a parachute factory in Tampa, Florida. She later attended the University of Texas, where she studied business and met her husband of 57 years, Elof “Sonny” Soderberg. For many years, Mary owned and operated the Marie Antoinette store in Austin, as well as several other clothing and shoe stores in Austin, Dallas, and Arkansas. She was the first female president of the Austin Better Business Bureau and was actively involved in various local business organizations throughout her career.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and godmother to Cam McKinney Ward and Luke Bellsnyder, and was a second mother to many. Her home was always open to anyone who needed a port in the storm and she seemed to be able to come up with a solution to any of life’s problems. She never met a stranger and was never afraid to speak her mind or provide unsolicited fashion advice. Her generosity and wit will be greatly missed. Mary had a passion for serving children in need and was a long time runaway hotline volunteer. She also served as a foster parent and as a volunteer victim’s advocate for the Austin Police Department with her husband. She was a lifetime member of Balcones Country Club and found great joy playing cards and socializing there with her friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband in 2008. She is survived by her daughter, Kristina Elizondo and her husband Jorge, of Austin; granddaughter Katherine Browder Maloney and her husband John and great-granddaughter Colette Virginia Maloney, of Port Saint Lucie, FL; granddaughter Mary Turner Browder, of Austin; and former son-in-law Bill Browder of Austin. Her goddaughter, Cam Ward, of Buda, never left her side and provided great comfort to her during her final days. Mary also leaves behind many friends including the children of the McKinney, Capehart, Moore, Wash, and Atkins families, all of whom she loved as if they were her own.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills, 9700 Anderson Mill Road in Austin,TX with burial to follow at Assumption Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held that evening at 5:00 PM at Balcones Country Club. Should friends desire, please make memorial contributions to Austin Dog Alliance, 1321 W. New Hope Drive Cedar Park, TX 78613, devoted to therapeutic programs which incorporate the powerful connection between dogs and humans (https://www.austindogalliance.org/donation-in-tribute-to-person-or-pet).

Please join in remembering Mary Soderberg by visiting the memorial at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com. Through this site, you are invited to share your thoughts and fond memories with Mary's family.