Pauline Helen Kopec' Mazurkiewicz

Pauline Helen Kopec’ Mazurkiewicz passed away in the loving care of her three children on July 20, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. in her home in Chappell Hill, Texas at the age of 92. She was an active member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and attended public school in Monaville, Texas. Pauline was born on May 11, 1933, and baptized at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on May 14, 1933, and her Godparents were John and Maria Malinowski with Father Budnick officiating. She made her confirmation at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hempstead on May 25, 1947, and she was married to Peter Mazurkiewicz on October 9, 1954, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Chappell Hill. Her great grandparents Louise Korpalska, Joseph & Josphine Kopec’, and Frank & Anastasia Malinowski moved from Polonia, Texas near Lockhart in about 1925 to Chappell Hill. Her great grandparents Jozef & Anna Derkowski ran a business in the “Rock Store” in Chappell Hill (the oldest building in Chappell Hill) and were already living in the area.

“Mrs. Pauline” (as many affectionately called her) or “MeMaw” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren was an artist, businesswoman, cook/baker, farmer’s wife, and a leader in her community. She is preceded in death by six of her siblings Martha Bronikowski, Henry Kopeck, Margaret Bagwell, Johnny Kopech, Steve Kopech and Harry Kopech, but is survived by her sisters Rose Mock, Louise Holke and Lucille Pavlock. Pauline was born in Chappell Hill to Raymond (Roman) and Rosalia (Rose) Malinowski Kopec’. At the age of about 6, the Kopec’ family moved from Chappell Hill to Monaville and Pauline along with her siblings attended public school. At the age of around 14 (1947) after World War II and the “Great Depression”, her father stopped farming and moved to Houston. Pauline and her sister Margaret as well as the older siblings went to work to help support the family. Pauline never finished school, but in 1975 she enrolled at Prairie View A&M University and completed her GED.

Pauline worked at Nabisco in Houston when she met Pete in 1952 and after they married, they lived in Houston and Chappell Hill. In 1963, they moved to Hockley, and she ran the Hockley Auction Barn Café for two decades, the El Campo Auction Barn Café for about 10 years, the Hockley Café on Hwy 290 for several years and worked at the Garrett convenience store for many years. However, her passion was cooking and arts and crafts. She was a partner with Margaret selling her arts and crafts and baked goods in the Country Daze Store in Chappell Hill for many years and she always sold her goods at the Washington County Fair “Country Store”. She won Grand Champion with her handmade quilt and another time with her Wedding Doll at the Washington County Fair. Each year her baked goods, can goods and/or her crafts would be champion of their division, one year she had over 8 division champions and the grand champion overall.

She was recognized as a leader within her community serving as the President and Secretary of the St. Stanislaus Altar Society, Secretary of the Austin Diocese Deanery, Chairman of the Waller High School Band Concession Stand, worked the Brazos County 4H Concession stands, and she ran the parish bingo and she led the rosary before mass at St. Stanislaus for 3 decades. She was not afraid of hard work by helping her in-laws pick cotton by hand (200# per day), worked as day labor picking cotton in the Brazos River Bottom for extra money and gathered pecans by hand in the fall for extra money. In addition, she believed in giving back as she always donated her baked/canned goods and crafts to help raise money for the annual St. Stanislaus parish festival as well as helping sell raffle tickets. She loved to play dominos, she loved to dance to Polish music, and she was a great seamstress. She could look at a dress or any clothing in a catalog and make as good as any brand name.

Her work ethic was second to none and she believed in giving back to her community and understanding the value of faith, family and friends. There was no doubt she was proud of her Polish heritage and her Catholic Faith. The legacy she leaves is the love of her family, an excellent work ethic, strong Christian values, selfless service, a can-do attitude and many loving friends. She was not afraid to try something new, and she was always willing to give a helping hand. She will be missed by her family, her parish and her friends.

Pauline was proud of all three of her children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She is survived by: son and daughter-in-law Dr. Jim (Kathy) Mazurkiewicz, daughter Deborah Mazurkiewicz, and son and daughter-in-law Ronnie (Karen) Mazurkiewicz; six grandchildren and their spouses James Mazurkiewicz, Kathy Ann Mazurkiewicz, Cody Mazurkiewicz, Clinton Mazurkiewicz and wife Melissa, Ashley Mazurkiewicz Dodd and husband Cody, and Stephanie Mazurkiewicz Muelhstein and husband Zach; three great grandchildren, Colby Mazurkiewicz, Jason Mazurkiewicz, and Keaton Dodd.

A rosary and visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, with visitation beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 24 at 10 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Chappell Hill with Father Edwin Kagoo officiating. Interment will follow at Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. A funeral meal will be served in the St. Stanislaus Parish Hall following the graveside service.

Pallbearers will be: James Mazurkiewicz, Clinton Mazurkiewicz, Cody Mazurkiewicz, Colby Mazurkiewicz, Jason Mazurkiewicz, Cody Dodd, Zach Muelhstein, and Kenneth Kopech.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Kathy Ann Mazurkiewicz, Ashley Mazurkiewicz Dodd, Stephanie Mazurkiewicz Muelhstein, Keaton Dodd.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Share condolences at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.