Mary Kathleen Pierson

1940 - 2018

PIERSON (Shulda), Mary Kathleen Mary Kathleen (Shulda) Pierson ("Mary K.") age 78 passed on, but not away, on December 18, 2018 at 11:15 AM at Baylor Scott & White Medical Care in Lakeway, Texas. She was surrounded by her loving family. Mary K. was born in Carlsbad New Mexico to Joseph Guy Shulda and Mary Helen Shulda on May 11, 1940. She graduated with Honors from Carlsbad High School in 1958 where she was a representative to Girls State, was Girls Athletic Association honoree all four years in volleyball and basketball. She attended New Mexico State University Las Cruces, while also working part time for the University's Physical Science Laboratory. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Park College (now University), Parkville, Missouri and over the years worked in administration for Texas Tech University, Park University Austin Branch at Bergstrom AFB, serving personnel there as well as Army National Guard members at Camp Mabry and many students from major corporations in the Austin area. While working there she met her future husband Jay, joining in a great love they shared for over 32 years. She brought her two children into that marriage, Kurt and Heather. Both accepted Jay and his son Brad as full members of a new shared family. Just a few months after their wedding, Mary K. was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. The diagnosis and prognosis were a terrible combination. However, Mary K. had very positive attitude throughout her life and decided she would live life fully for whatever amount of time she had. She continued loving and caring for her family, working full time, and she never allowed herself the be considered as a "cancer patient," only "a cancer survivor." Mary K. worked continuously as an administrator and counselor to students from her office at Park University Austin Branch, then to The College of Santa Fe in New Mexico and eventually at St. Edward's University in Austin where she was counselor for students in the Migrant Student Program. Her life's goal was to always serve others. So, for over 30 years she dedicated herself to seeing her students achieve their goals and graduate. After she and Jay retired to Sun City Georgetown, Mary K. served as President of the Sun City Democrats, President of the Georgetown chapter of the American Association of University women, President of the Board of Senior University, and was instrumental in the founding of Court Watch which monitored and reported how abused women were treated and protected in the Williamson County Courts system. Finally, over the last few months of her life her cancer took its toll. She died peacefully under the care of excellent doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. Her Oncologist, Laurence K. Tokaz, M.D. and all the staff at Texas Oncology, gave her the very best care possible for those many years, as did the doctors and nurses at Baylor Scott & White in Lakeway. There could not have been better teams. She leaves her family with wonderful memories. Son Kurt L. Austin and wife Cathy; Daughter Heather Pierson Lamboy and her "Three Amigos" children Hannah, Tal and Emanuel. Grandson Zachary Austin and wife Nicole and their two lovely daughters Lola and Tinley; grandson Caleb Austin; stepson Brad Pierson and his wife Mary Beth Thomas; and of course, Mary K's husband Jay, who tries to fill the hole in his heart with all the wonderful memories of her. Her life will be celebrated in small gatherings among friends and relatives over the next few months and sometime this coming summer her ashes will be scattered at a gathering with her close family members and special friends at a secret place in the Colorado mountains where she once said, "This is where I would like to have my ashes scattered, where these beautiful flowers grow." That will be done. She will be missed by many. Any donations in her name should be made to any quality cancer research organization, Planned Parenthood, the Georgetown Animal Shelter, or a charity of your choice.