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Mary Elizabeth (Goranson) Eklof, 71, passed away peacefully on Sunday,
February 1, 2009, at her family's home in Houston, Texas after a valiant
fight with pulmonary fibrosis. Mary overcame many obstacles, including
breast cancer, in her life, always reaching out for new and exciting
adventures. Her generosity to all who had the pleasure in sharing her day to
day life will always be remembered. Mary never met a stranger and had
friends all over the world. Without Mary, our hearts are broken and our
tears endless, but our memories and joys are immeasurable. Her laughter and
smile will never leave our memories.
Mary was born on March 30, 1937, in Stockholm, Sweden to Olof William
Goranson and Olive Charity West Goranson. She was preceded in death by her
beloved husband of 31 years, John Eric "Jack" Eklof, and her brother,
William Paul Goranson. Mary leaves behind on earth her sons, Erik and his
wife Wendy of Richardson, Texas, and Chris and his wife Linda of Houston,
Texas, her pride and joy, grandchildren, Elizabeth and Stephanie, Emily, and
Joshua, and by numerous nieces, nephews, other family and dear friends. Mary
was a long-time member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in The Woodlands,
Texas. Special thanks to her neighbors and members of her church who helped
with her care in so many ways during the last two years.
Mary was raised in Karlskoga, Sweden, where she loved to compete in sports,
especially track and field and figure skating. After graduating from high
school in Karlskoga, she followed in her mother's footsteps and studied to
become a registered nurse. She graduated from the Statens Sjukskoterskeskola
(State Nurse School) in Stockholm, Sweden in 1962. Mary immigrated to the
United States in 1963 where she met and married Jack in 1965. She spent the
early part of her nursing career as an operating room and emergency room
nurse at New Rochelle Hospital in New York and the University of
Pennsylvania Hospital.
After the births of her sons, Mary focused on her family and community. She
was a devoted Cub Scout den mother, Little League and South Montgomery
County YMCA team mother, and Aggie Mom's Club member. For several years, she
lent her keen eye to the City of Oak Ridge North, Texas, as a member of the
City's Planning and Zoning Committee. After fourteen years of substituting
for registered nurses in the local schools, Mary took on a full-time
position with the Conroe Independent School District, a job she looked
forward to doing each and every day. She touched many young lives in the
community while working at Oak Ridge, Ford, and Hailey Elementary schools,
as well as Houser and Dolly Vogel Intermediate schools. After ten years of
service, Mary retired from nursing and remained an active member of the
South Montgomery Area Retired Teachers Association.
As the daughter of a Swedish father and an American mother, Mary had a
fierce passion for both her Swedish and American heritage. For over thirty
years she was a member of SWEA Houston (Swedish Women Educational
Association) and its predecessor, SVEA of Texas. She served SVEA in numerous
officer roles including President. She sewed her own Swedish folk costume,
which she wore for traditional Swedish festivities. She also traveled back
to her homeland several times to visit family and friends. In 1994, she
proudly became an American citizen in naturalization ceremonies held in
Houston.
Mary gained an interest in exploring her family tree alongside her mother,
both of whom were charter members of the Montgomery County Genealogical
Society. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
through her mother's ancestor George Carpenter, a soldier who served in the
American Revolution. Mary was a past Regent of the Spring Creek Chapter of
the DAR and continued to serve in various leadership positions, most
recently as her chapter's lineage Research Chairwoman from 2007 to present
and as Registrar from 2005 to 2007. She was also a member and officer of the
National Society of DAR - Dogwood Council, recently serving as Treasurer
from 2007 to 2008. Among her many community services, she worked closely
with our veterans at the V. A. Hospital. Mary served as National V. A. V. S.
Advisor Committee, (a National DAR appointment) for the Conroe Outpatient
Veterans Clinic.
She was also a member of the National Genealogical Society, New England
Historical Genealogical Society, and the Four Seasons Garden Club. She had
special loves for history, travel, gardening, and bird watching. Rest our
beautiful Mary until we meet again and know we will keep and protect your
memories forever in our hearts and soul.
A memorial service will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 3801 South
Panther Creek, The Woodlands, Texas, on Sunday, February 8, 2009, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Gift Management Services, 5005 LBJ
Freeway Suite 250, Dallas, Texas 75244 (1-877-465-6636).
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