Mom

Marie Rose (Hujar) Kochan was led by the Angels to Paradise on November 27, 2011 at The Summit at Lakeway Healthcare Center. Marie was born on March 25, 1929 in Binghamton, NY then made her home and raised her family in Austin, TX for the last 52 years. Marie earned her teaching degree from Cortland College in Cortland, NY and taught kindergarten until she met and married the Air Force officer and pilot of her dreams, Chester T. Kochan, from Salamanca, NY.

Marie demonstrated how central her Catholic faith was to her life by participating in Saint Ignatius Parish and the Saint Edwards University Community. She remained an active member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. While proudly raising her family, Mom enjoyed leading several scout troops, volunteering as room mother, sewing clothes and costumes for her family, creating various knitting, crocheting, and tatting projects, cooking amazing meals (especially her famous lasagna), and baking heavenly desserts. In her spare time, Mom worked her way up to being a nationally recognized Tupperware Manager, earning televisions, diamonds, cruises, and cars. Mom and Dad also extended the family and opened their home to foreign visitors and students through the University of Texas International Hospitality Club and the Saint Edward’s University Foreign Exchange Student Program. She continued to volunteer her time and skills until her passing.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Left to celebrate and remember her life are her brother, Thomas Hujar and her children and their spouses, Mary K. Kochan and Jim Milholland; Mark Kochan and Laura; HelenAnn Busa and Ron; Teresa LaGesse and Daniel; John Kochan and Kelli. Marie adored and delighted in her grandchildren, Bailey K. Cummings; Dawn, Delaney, and Michael Kochan; Veronica and Thomas Busa; Adam and Sarah LaGesse. Marie is additionally survived by four (4) great-grandchildren and numerous beloved family members up north.

Her children would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the loving staff at The Summit at Lakeway who embraced their mother like family. In lieu of flowers, for those who desire to make a memorial contribution, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.

A memorial mass will be held at 3pm on Friday, December 2, 2011, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel on St. Edward’s University campus, 3001 South Congress Avenue in Austin. Family visitation will begin at 6pm on Saturday, December 3, 2011, with the Rosary at 7pm at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail in South Austin. Marie’s final resting place will be next to her husband at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.