Mary Katherine Longley

Mary Katherine Benad Longley, 82, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 4, 2015. Born July 12, 1933 in Granger, Texas, she started life in the lean times of the Depression, which taught her much about self-sufficiency, building on the can-do attitude of her German immigrant heritage. She graduated from Round Rock High School and took her first job at the Georgetown County Courthouse in a career that would span many positions using her skills at numbers and bookkeeping. She was known as a problem solver and cultivated a lifelong love of puzzles of every kind. In 1953 she married Raymond Longley, a Georgetown pharmacist. Living in the same house in Austin for more than 50 years, they raised three sons, whom Mary insisted must learn to cook, wash, clean, mend and sew, grow food, and maintain paint and plumbing - making them good catches for their future spouses. Mary enjoyed playing bridge, which in retirement led to fine days at the Austin Senior Activity Center, where for many years she served as volunteer coordinator, eventually receiving a civics award from the White House for her service. Retirement with her husband included many trips and adventures, including a cruise through the Panama Canal. Mary is survived by sons Mark and his husband Nick, Mitchell and his wife Debra, Matthew and his wife Gabriela, brothers John Weldon and his wife Lou Ann, and Norman Keith (Keto), and sister Joy and her husband Ray. She has seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, sister Betty, foster mother Agnes, brother Donnie, brother Roland, baby son Michael, father Charlie, and mother Julia. The viewing will be at Foundation United Methodist Church, Temple, TX, on Tuesday September 8, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. Following the viewing there will be a service at the church at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Austin or the Alzheimer's Association.