Marie Stawnicz

Marie (Marino) Stawnicz, age 88, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024, one day shy of what would have been hers and her beloved Marion’s 72nd wedding anniversary. Born in Bryan, Texas on April 26, 1936, she lived her initial years in the Brazos Bottom and subsequently moved with her parents to Houston. Marie lived a full and happy life, returning to the Brazos and Robertson County area in 1973. She was a devoted mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was very proud of her family and her Italian heritage. She was well-known for her Sunday spaghetti and meatballs, chocolate sheet cake, and Thanksgiving turkey and dressing; additionally, she had a passion for crocheting, as demonstrated in the beautiful afghans she lovingly crafted for each of her grandchildren. In 1977, Marie and Marion purchased a tractor dealership, which became one of their many successful business ventures.

She had a very competitive spirit. When playing penny poker or blitz, she played with great passion and a strong desire to win; never hesitating a moment to beat anyone at cards, including her grandkids or great grandkids. That competitive, winning spirit lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. One time during her late-stage dementia, Marie was told that a great grandchild played in a sporting event the previous day, and with no additional information or prompting, she immediately replied, “Oh, they won…so they’re in the playoffs now. That’s wonderful!”

Marie recently was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Stanley Stawnicz. After almost 72 years of marriage, they maintained an extremely strong bond, proving the old adage “opposites attract.” They met, as Marie proudly recounted numerous times, when she was working in her parents’ store in Houston and “the best-lookin’ guy you ever saw” walked in to purchase a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes. They were married soon thereafter. That union faithfully endured even after Marion’s passing, as Marie, without being told when he passed away, saw him sitting on her bed and asked if he had died. Multiple times after his passing, she saw him standing over her, and she clearly spoke with him about wanting to be with him but told him while she wanted to go with him, “they will not let me.” Bound by strong faith, Marie and Marion had love for more decades than many people have years in their lives.

In addition to her husband, Marie was preceded in death by her father and mother Steve and Catherine (Fazzino) Marino; brother Joe Marino; father-in-law and mother-in-law Joe and Frances (Syzdek) Stawnicz; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Peggy and Floyd Rudek; Raymond and Frances Stanish; Barbara “Bobbie” Gibbens; and daughter-in-law, Betty Stawnicz.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Marie C. “Cathy” Lyles (Sonny) and Marion Vernon Stawnicz (Arlene). Additionally, Marie is survived by her grandchildren, Doug Lyles (Jennifer), Stephanie Towse (Brandon), Pam Fannin (Clayton), and Mary Whitworth. Further, she is survived by her great grandchildren, Elliot Lyles, Lucy Lyles, Mia Towse, Bodie Towse, Emma Rekieta, Cade Fannin, Hunter Whitworth, and Madison Whitworth, as well as her brother and sister-in-law Frank and Barbara Marino, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Madeline Stawnicz, and many nieces and nephews.

Marie’s family would like to give special thanks for the love, compassion, gentle care, and support she received in the final year of her life from the staff at Crossroads Nursing and Rehabilitation and Amedisys Hospice, as well as all her long-term caregivers, especially family friend, Sylvia Montelongo.

Marie was one of the founding members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Franklin, Texas and was also a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Bryan, Texas. As such, in lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (P.O. Box 543, Franklin, TX 77856) or St. Anthony Catholic Church (401 S. Parker Ave, Bryan, TX 77803). Visitation will be at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Bryan on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 9:30 AM, followed at 10:00 AM by a rosary and Mass of Christian burial, and then burial at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, in Bryan.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cozart Funeral Home, Normangee, Texas, a member of the family of Callaway-Jones Funeral Centers.