MARY CATHERINE TIDWELL
From her birth, Mary Catherine Tidwell was beautiful and spirited. Born to Don and Margie Tidwell on Sept. 19, 1989 in Abilene, Texas, she arrived with the spirit that would mark all her days. Demanding an emergency C-section to bring her into the light, she let it be known that she would always be a force to be reckoned with. Blessed with two adoring older brothers, Sam and Joe, she gave notice that she was the queen of her world and wouldn’t take any of their nonsense and learned as she grew just how to work those big boys and their friends.
Growing up in Albany, she was a member of the AHS Class of 2008 and from there she launched herself. Mary Catherine seemed not to be at home in a city that didn’t begin with an “A”. Albany, Abilene, Austin, San Antonio all were home to her at one time or another and in all of them, she left a beautiful, kind and loving legacy. She was a diamond with many facets; from barrel racing when she was a kid, to being a cosmetologist, to being a DJ known to her audiences as “Mary Millions”, she sparkled. Her sincerity and kindness led to her being a much-demanded speaker for NA groups all over Texas; she touched people with her heart and honesty and genuine care. During her days at the Hard Rock Cafe, her tips reflected how much people appreciated her caring and attention – she loved them and they loved her back. We all did and were blessed that she loved us, too.
She loved her cats and horses, to the extent that one summer she wore her horse T-shirt every day, and her Mom had to wash it while she was asleep. She rode in “Six Bright Flags” in the Fort Griffin Fandangle, much to her joy.
Mary Catherine was artistic, creative, brilliantly witty – a mermaid with a wicked laugh. Her friendships were forever and her kindness unbounded. She carried a sadness, though, as the loss of her precious brother, Sam, was always with her. It didn’t prevent her generous spirit from seeing needs and filling them or loving those who needed it. In spite of her fashion choices her heart was never dark, never closed. Wherever she lived, people gravitated to her wit, her kindness and her spirit.
On July 19, 2024, God decided it was time for her to come home. Heaven needed her more than we did. She leaves behind her parents, Margie Tidwell and Don Tidwell (Sunday); her brother Joe, his wife Belynda, nephews Samuel Ray and Grayson, and niece Poppy; uncle and aunt Bob Ed and Debbie Johnson, cousins Jared (Shelby) and family, and Jamie Johnson Sehanobish (Shawn) and their family; uncle and aunt Bob and Pam Tidwell, cousins Lee White (Barry) and their family, Lindsey Gore (Patrick) and their family, and Ted Tidwell (Chloe) and their family; aunt and uncle Lynn and Dan Neff and cousins Jacob Scarbrough (Diana) and Rachel Cole (Justin) and their family; extended family and friends beyond counting. Preceding her were her brother, Sam Tidwell, and her grandparents, Elmer and Pat Tidwell and Bob and Mary Johnson.
The family requests that memorials be made to TheSamTidwell Memorial Scholarship or to the Kevin Ruff Memorial Scholarship Fund, and may be left at Moreheart Mortuary.
Mary Catherine will be remembered ather funeral service on Thursday, July 25, 2:00 p.m. at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, Albany, Texas. PD
“The true beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode. The true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is in the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.”
Audrey Hepburn
