MAUREEN ELIZABETH KALESNIK

MAUREEN "MO" ELIZABETH KALESNIK Maureen "Mo" Elizabeth Kalesnik, 88, of Ardmore, OK, born on April 11, 1937 in Portsmouth, England, passed away peacefully at home and surrounded by loved ones from near and far on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. A true adventurer, Mo left her home of Camberley, England at the age of 18--after already biking across England and parts of Europe--to explore the world. She crossed the pond and had pit stops in Canada, San Diego, Germany, the Bahamas and Galveston before settling in Ardmore, OK. She traveled all over the globe with her husband, Lawrence "Larry" Frank Kalesnik, and left her mark on countless people and places. A few of her favorites were Australia to see the koalas and kangaroos, China to see the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors, and Mazatlán, Mexico, her home away from home, where she wintered with lifelong friends and her family for many years. To say the least, Mo was a living legend. She started Maureen Realty in 1972 as a single mother of three small children. She went on to have an amazing 51-year career in real estate where she helped countless Southern Oklahomans find homes, including numerous friends and Larry's home when Uniroyal opened. Mo was multilingual, having picked up German, French, and Spanish over the years. She was an accomplished pianist who could play by ear and loved playing for company, especially her great-grandchildren. She loved the color orange and hot, sunny Oklahoma days--particularly those she spent suntanning and hosting the town on her houseboat, The Maureena, at Lake Murray. She always had a camera in hand, and took thousands of photos that captured her incredible travels, beloved family, and cherished friends. She is survived by her husband, Larry Kalesnik, of the home. Her brother Noble Graham and wife Jane of Shalbourne, England, niece Louise Kirkpatrick-Graham, grandnieces Tara, Eloise, Gracie, and grandnephew Joseph, all of the Oxford, England area. Her son Chris Cowlbeck and wife Susan of Ardmore, and her daughter Jamie Graham, of Galveston, TX. Her grandchildren: Cait Brimer, husband Josh, and great-grandchildren Jack, Carson, and Henry of Newtown, CT, McKenzie Cowlbeck and partner Westin of Norman, OK, and Montgomery Cowlbeck and wife Savannah of Tulsa, OK. Her stepdaughters: Kimberley Kalesnik Bruns and husband Dieter of Hong Kong, Christine Burns and husband David of Dallas, TX, Joanne Kalesnik and partner Kathleen of Olympia, WA, and Laura Kalesnik of Dallas, TX. Her step-grandchildren: Matthew, Shannon, Casey, Dru, Kiley, Brooke, Kate and Reid, and step-great-grandchildren Belle, Birdie, Breck, and David, all originally of Dallas, TX. She leaves behind many close friends from all around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents James Noble and Christina Graham, son Carl Cowlbeck, nephew Richard Graham, and many more dear friends. The family wants to extend their deepest gratitude to Kimberley Kalesnik Bruns for the exceptional loving in-home care she gave Maureen for the last six months of her life, her hospice team at Elara Caring, and special caregivers Billie Jo and Jesse. Please join us in honoring a bold and vibrant family matriarch, globetrotter, businesswoman and friend by wearing bright colors and hats to her service on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at 10 am at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Ardmore, OK and live-streamed on stphilipsardmore.org. Services will be officiated by Father Bryan Callen. Donations honoring Maureen's life can be made to St. Philip's Church. As Maureen said to us -- Go explore the world! Don't be afraid to take risks!