Born Mary Ruth Selman, Sept. 5, 1929 in Dilly, TX; died May 1, 2011 in her home in Austin at the age of 81. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Elbert George Donsbach, parents Bartlett and Beryl Selman, sisters Eugenia Dahline and Roxie Selman.
She is survived by brothers Bartlett, Paul, Walter and Gary, and sister Sue Crump, sons Carl and wife Joanne, George and wife Karen, and John, and daughter Barbara Talbott and husband Larry, granddaughters Ellen Hall and Amy Donsbach and Danielle Talbott, and Desiree Basrun and great grandchildren Adrian and Deleslyn Lightsey.
She graduated valedictorian from Buda High School in 1946 and attended a year at Southwest Texas State Teachers College. After deciding to pursue a career in nursing she attended the Brackenridge School of Nursing, graduating as an RN in August of 1951. While in nursing school, she met Elbert Donsbach in Austin, and they were married on September 23 of 1951.
A dedicated nurse, she worked for many years at Brackenridge Hospital and later worked at several nursing homes. She participated in the Nurses’ Health Study for 34 years.
A loving mother and grandmother, she brought much joy to her family and friends throughout her lifetime. She was a thoughtful individual with a calm and cheerful demeanor, a quick wit and a marvelous sense of humor. She was also an avid reader with many interests, continually occupied by collecting books, which she usually passed on to others after reading. She greatly enjoyed visiting with friends and family, watching a good movie and listening to music.
A memorial service was held Saturday May 7 at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle.
