Mary Jane Kotara

Mary Jane “Janie” Lynch Kotara, age 88, a longtime resident of Panhandle, peacefully entered the gates of heaven on Friday, Oct 4th, 2024

A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM on Sunday, October 6th at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Panhandle. The Mass will be celebrated Monday, October 7th at 10:30 AM, also at the church, with Father Mieczyslaw “Mitch” Przepiora as the celebrant. Burial will take place at the Panhandle Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Schooler Funeral Home, located at 4100 South Georgia.

Janie was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 11, 1936, to the late Jack and Nora Belle Lynch of Dallas. She graduated from North Dallas High School and subsequently attended The University of Texas, where she met Ronald Kotara.

They were married on June 1, 1957, and soon moved to Panhandle to begin their life together of 53 years until his passing in 2011. In her early years, Janie modeled for Neiman Marcus in Dallas and worked as a flight attendant for TWA Airlines.

Janie was a devoted homemaker, raising five children with her husband Ronald. A talented artist, she owned Janie’s Custom Crafts, where she designed hand-painted Christmas ornaments and various wooden items. She also taught painting classes in her basement and, in 1976, painted the fire hydrants in Panhandle to commemorate the Bicentennial. In addition to her creative pursuits, she enjoyed playing Bridge with friends and was an avid participant in the stock market.

Throughout her life, Janie was an active member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. She engaged with the PTA, the Christian Mothers of St. Theresa’s, the Square House Museum, and the Girl Scouts. After her children left home, she dedicated over 17 years to the Carson County Library.

Janie is survived by her daughters, Kathleen Kotara of Frisco, Patricia Looten (Dan) of Panhandle, and Alison Cassidy (Jay) of Plano; and her sons, Tom Kotara of Shallowater and Stan Kotara (Mary Catherine) of Lubbock. Known affectionately as "Grandy," she is also survived by her grandchildren: Kara Looten of Fort Worth, Kalli Looten Smith (Justin) of Celina, Hunter Cassidy (Alayna)of Plano, Kaitlyn Cassidy of Richardson, Landry Kotara of Fort Worth, Kreed Kotara of Lubbock, Kellen Kotara of Lubbock, and Cole Kotara of Lubbock; and one great-grandson, Lawson Elliott Smith of Celina. She is also survived by her brother, Michael Lynch of Richardson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church PO Box 366 Panhandle, TX 79068 or the Carson County Library PO Box 339 Panhandle, TX 79068