Mary Mccarty Sanders

Mary June McCarty Sanders departed from this world Saturday, February 1, 2020.  She was born on March 29, 1950 to proud parents, the late Troy Donald McCarty and Billie Jo McCarty, in Abilene, Texas.  June, as she was called, graduated from Abilene High School and attended the University of Texas at Arlington, and later Austin Community College School of Nursing.  She married Robert “Buddy” Heitman Sanders June 20, 1969 in Abilene, Texas, and moved to Austin as a family a few years following the birth of their daughter in 1971.  She made a life with her family in Austin, with a son arriving in 1977, as a stay at home mom, a wonderful cook and active mother in her children’s lives.

After her children were both of school age, she began her career, working for companies like Lockheed Martin, and then later the Texas Department of Health, Radiation Control Division, from which she retired.  She made many life long friends through her employment career, whom she stayed in touch with following her retirement.

A friend to the human and furry, she adopted many pets and donated to many animal associated non-profits.  From her beloved Sherman, the schnauzer and her first baby, to the “cold wet puppy” named Sadie her son brought home one day from school, to the precocious Poodie Tat, her tabby cat furry baby, and finally her most affectionate Steve the cat.  Baby birds that fell from their mother’s nest were rescued and brought to be cared for.  She had a very big heart and wanted to save them all.

While her career took her one direction, her real skills were in cooking.  She was known by friends and family alike to be an amazing chef, especially her baking skills.  Her creations were sought after, especially during the holidays when she was often asked to bake for people’s events and family gatherings.  Had her career taken a different path who knows what may have come, she was by hobby an amazing cook.

A friend for life, she fostered many strong friendships.  Her childhood “sister”, Holly Garrett, was a forever-special lifetime friend.  Sandy Pence was yet another faithful friend through it all.  Many, many other friends she made who gathered to hear infectious laughter and experience her wit.

Her family of course meant the world to her, as she was especially close to her father and mother and sisters.  A devoted mother to her two children, she held close to her heart, and most especially her two granddaughters whom she cherished and adored.

June is preceded in death by her adoring Father, Troy Donald McCarty (1985), her loving Mother, Billie Jo McCarty (2017), and her beloved sister Donna Jo Fowler (2009).   Surviving and keeping her memories close are her Daughter, Leigh Allison Cerda of Austin, son, Shawn Griffin Sanders of Kyle, Sister, Brenda Reedy of Denton, Granddaughters, Lara Elizabeth Cerda of Austin, and Avery June Sanders of Wimberley, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), American Heart Association, or American Cancer Society.