Mary Hart lived with an undiminished love of life, and she died with that same joy and enthusiasm for what comes next. On what was to be her last day on earth, and after saying goodbye to so many of her family members, she proclaimed that it was the best day of her life. Perhaps nothing can say more about Mary Hart's appreciation for the world around her, and her high hopes for what is yet to come.
Mary Hart's companion on her life's journey for seventy years was her husband, Bill Hart. Together, they nurtured a family of three children, six grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. This family was the focus of her being, and she imparted to all of them not only her bond of love, but also her curiosity about the new, the unexamined, and yet still the everyday routines of life. Her character was perhaps defined best by sacrificial love and a steely resolve – to live, to learn, and to overcome life's obstacles, large and small.

Mary's personality was manifest in her many accomplishments. Born to Floyd and Doris Bell on March 23, 1920 in Des Moines, Iowa, Mary and her family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana when Mary was three years old. Education was a paramount value in her family. Her academic journey led to Butler University where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa earning her BA degree in English Literature, magna cum laude. Demonstrating her philosophy that learning is a lifelong endeavor, twenty-five years later she enrolled in graduate school at the University of Texas, earning her MA in English literature with again with honors. She was a long time member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood providing philanthropic assistance for the education of women.
Putting to use her education, Mary researched and wrote several original histories which were published by her husband's company, Hart Graphics. She wrote The Journals of the Constitution chronicling the writing and adoption of the Texas Constitution. She later authored a history of John J. Audubon's time in Texas with a published piece John J. Audubon's – The Texas Quadruped Collection. Later in life Mary applied her talents to writing fiction. She wrote four plays that were performed by her fellow residents at Westminster Manor.

Mary Hart's enthusiasm for life extended to her community. An active member of Junior Helping Hand, Ronald McDonald Charities, and the Presbyterian Children's Home, Mary had a particular interest in children. Mary spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours at the Ronald McDonald House and made lasting contributions to their grounds and gardens, where a bronze statue remains as a memorial to her service. Earning a Lifetime Achievement Award, and elected lifetime Board Member Emeritus, Mary Hart's commitment to the children never waned.

Her community and social relationships included a long list of personal commitments, starting in 1945 when her family moved to Austin. She joined the University Presbyterian Church and later Covenant Presbyterian Church. She had a sewing club that lasted sixty years, and participated in her bridge club for fifty years, and Bible Study classes for decades. Her commitments to her many friends were lasting and personal.
All of her several accomplishments were simply prelude to her real passion, her family. She adored her husband Bill, with whom she was married for seventy years. As constant companions in life, focused intensely on each other, their marriage was a testament to love, concern and commitment. Together they were an example of the possibilities of a true marriage.
Mary Hart is survived not only by her husband William L Hart, but also by her son Chris Hart, her son and daughter in law, David and Sue Hart, and her daughter and son in law Linda Hart Herrmann and Bill Herrmann, Jr.; her six grandchildren Heather Hart Potts and husband Steve, Jeffrey David Hart and wife Monica, Scott Diener Hart and wife Malia, Kelley Hart Rendziperis and husband George, Annie Herrmann Mendrala and husband Mike, and Emily Herrmann Gutierrez and husband James; and fourteen great grandchildren: Lauren, Ian and Logan Potts; John Michael (Jack) Hart; David, Gabrielle, and Jared Hart; Riley Susan and William Rendziperis; Michael, Dillon, and Sam Mendrala; and William and Avery Gutierrez. Mary Hart was predeceased by her parents Floyd and Doris Bell, and her sisters Chloris Fohl and Nancy Smock, and her brother John C. Bell.
Services for Mary Hart will include visitation at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 Lamar Blvd on Tuesday, July 31 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, and a memorial service at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 3003 Northland Drive on Wednesday, August 1 at 10:30 a.m., Reverend Scott Sandahl presiding.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, Texas 78723, (512) 472-9844 www.rmhc-austin.org. The family also wishes to thank Mary's many friends who have supported her and encouraged her during her good times and hard times, and to the many caregivers who brought her countless days of happiness she would not have enjoyed without their care.