Bessie Maggie Mahaffey

Bessie Maggie Rosenkranz Mahaffey was born in Texas on April 27th, 1928, in Mumford, Texas, to Rudolph Rosenkranz and Teresa Emilie (Odstrcil). Being the eighth child of nine and growing up in the heart of the Great Depression and during WWII, she learned to make the most of every situation. Despite all the hardships she endured, those experiences helped shape and grow the wonderful woman we knew and loved. She was unquestionably a member of what we know as The Greatest Generation. Many great stories have been shared with her friends and family about her life, which will undoubtedly continue to be passed down by her loved ones.

Bessie and her siblings spent their youth on a farm in Mumford where they picked cotton, raised animals, and grew crops to sustain their whole family. She was an exceptional cook, which is yet another reason everyone fell in love with her. From her famous homemade kolaches, to her very many generations-old scratch taught recipes, to her German dumplings, there was never a meal without a warm welcome to anyone. She always utilized her kitchen talents to bring the family together around her table. Her time spent with her family was full of joy and nothing short of fun, which will be cherished for years to come.

Bessie will be remembered as the woman who didn’t have an ailment that wasn’t cured by a shot (or two) of whiskey. She believed everything was better after an oatmeal cream pie, a hidden Reese’s cup, or a bowl of ice cream at bedtime. She taught her family how to cook but never ate when the food was done because she had been snacking, and always had a fresh pot of coffee and a full box of dominoes ready after every meal. She believed that dancing and music are not only good for your health, but also for your soul. She spent most afternoons dancing around her kitchen table, teaching all the children and grandchildren how to waltz, polka, and more. She modeled how to live life to the absolute fullest and have fun because age is “nothing but a number”. Bessie shared everything that she had, inside and out. If you needed the shirt off her back, she’d give that to you too. She didn’t miss an opportunity to be in the middle of fun with her grandkids, especially playing kick-the-can while very well into her 70’s. Bessie fished with a cane pole on the back tank, in Arkansas, and she taught us math by playing dominoes. She was a talented artist who loved to create fine china and oil paintings, porcelain Christmas ornaments, as well as crochet blankets. She shared this love and her creative talents with her grandkids during their many summer breaks spent together in Arkansas and in Rockne. She was envied for her ability to laugh, smile, and love no matter what the situation. She taught us to embrace ourselves for who we are, regardless of our inherited quirks, stubbornness, or the "few" extra pounds. She taught us bravery, hard work, determination, confidence, honesty, creativity, courage, curiosity, sarcasm, kindness, and many more traits. Bessie was genuinely a happy soul and would do anything for anyone. Family was everything to her, and her love extended to anyone surrounding her. Bessie will ultimately be remembered for her love of God, her family, and always saying goodbye and “God Bless You” at the end of every visit

She left this earth surrounded by loved ones on May 28th, 2023. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Mahaffey (married May 4, 1946, died Feb 4, 1993), her firstborn daughter, Ann Harrod (died 01/22/2010) and her middle daughter, Colleen Fried (died 05/22/2013). She is survived by her son, Marc (Christine) and daughter Stephanie Braley (David), as well as 11 grandkids and 25 great-grandkids, and one great-great granddaughter.

Services to celebrate her life will be held June 10th, 2023, at Providence Funeral Home in Bastrop, Texas. Visitation is set to begin at 10:30am with funeral services at 12 pm. Interment at Fairview Cemetery and reception to follow. (278 SH 304, Bastrop)

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Grace Lutheran Church of Elgin, where she was a member at the time of her death.  https://www.graceelgin.org/give.

She was quite the woman and will be missed.