Margaret Marie Brzozowski Hanel

Margaret Marie Brzozowski Hanel, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in Liberty, Texas, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on April 20, 1955, Margaret lived a life marked by faith, leadership, service, and an unwavering devotion to those she loved. She was the daughter of William Emil Brzozowski, Jr. and Marie Beoning Brzozowski, the third of six children and the oldest daughter. From an early age, Margaret naturally assumed the role of leader - responsible, dependable, and confidently “in charge,” a defining quality that remained with her throughout her life.

Margaret attended Sam Houston State University on a full basketball scholarship, where her determination, discipline, and love of teamwork flourished. After graduating, she began her teaching career at Liberty Middle School in 1977. What followed was a remarkable 37-year career in education, ending with her retirement in 2014. During those years, she served in many roles, including English Language Arts teacher, PE teacher, basketball coach, and cheerleader sponsor. Her influence reached generations of students, many of whom can still hear her voice encouraging them whenever they put pen to paper.

It was in Liberty, during her first teaching assignment, that Margaret met the love of her life, George Hanel. Together they built a marriage filled with love, laughter, and patience (mainly Margaret’s patience), as she lovingly kept George in line in only the way she could. On December 27, they would have celebrated 45 years of marriage, a testament to a partnership rooted in devotion and care.

A devout Catholic, Margaret was a faithful and active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She served generously wherever she was needed, from teaching CCE classes to cleaning the sanctuary, and was a dedicated member of the Immaculate Conception Altar Society. Her faith was not only practiced but lived daily through humility and service to others.

Margaret’s leadership extended far beyond the classroom and church. Just as she organized her siblings growing up, she became the “mom” to every group her children were part of from livestock shows to baseball teams. Her children, Monica and William, and her grandchildren were the center of her world, and her pride in them was evident to all who knew her. Margaret will be deeply missed by her family, friends, former students, church community, and especially her cherished Friday Night Group. Her legacy of love, leadership, faith, and service lives on in the countless lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws, George Hanel, Sr. and Clydelle Hanel.

Margaret is survived by her devoted husband, George Hanel, Jr.; her children, Monica Hanel Ripkowski and her husband, Cory, of Dayton, Texas, and William Hanel and his wife, Tara, of Hardin, Texas; her grandchildren, Cameron Ripkowski, Landry Oldham, Newt Hanel, Gus Hanel, and Clara Delle Hanel; her siblings, Billy Brzozowski and his wife, Mary Sue, of Sweet Home, Texas, Charlie Brzozowski and his wife, Carol, of Choate, Texas, Pat Fountain and her husband, Ron, of Henderson, Texas, Sharon Jackson and her husband Paul of Hempstead, Texas, and Barbara Brzozowski of Gonzales, Texas. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton, Texas, with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 411 Milam Street, Liberty, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Gobert, Robert Gobert, Rusty Blue, Trey Daniel, Scott Hester, Keith Ming, and Ron Fountain. Honorary pallbearers are Cameron Ripkowski, Landry Oldham, Newt Hanel, Gus Hanel, Clara Delle Hanel, Kody Ming, and Kyle Ming.

We loved you deeply and are forever changed by the impact you had on our lives. Rest easy, and don’t worry…we’ve got it from here, Mar Mar.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask for book donations to your local library or public school in memory of Margaret Hanel.