FORT WORTH — Martha Irene “Rena” Kowalski King, 88, passed peacefully from this world into God’s open arms Monday, February 27, 2012.
Service: A private graveside service in Jay Bird Cemetery will take place at a later date.
Born March 2, 1923, to John and Katherine Kowalski of Lackawanna, New York, Rena was the 10th of 12 children. She was a risk taker and at a young age ventured out, moving to the West Coast. Rena enjoyed sunbathing, swimming, motorcycling, horseback riding, roller skating, fishing, and snake hunting. During World War II in the ’40s she was a “Rosie the Riveter,” employed by Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, Calif. She later met and married William R. King, eventually moved to Fort Worth and worked as a CNA for many years.
Rena was a devoted Catholic of Polish descent, a loving wife and mother, was very warm-hearted, generous, giving, and a lucky lady. She was a woman of many talents and in her later years enjoyed antique collecting, birds in her garden, frog statue collecting, playing the lotto and slots, and was an avid astrologist.
Survivors: Her children whom she adored and left to cherish the memories of her are son, Jay W. King and wife, Becky; daughter, Cassie Duke; granddaughters, Jennifer Duke Geary, Amanda King Devoto and husband, Lawrence, Angel Montes and husband, Rigo, and Rebecca Ramirez; great-grandchildren, Aden Geary, Tyler Snider, Mckenna Devoto, Alex, Sierra and Micah Montes; siblings, Rita Newman of Rochester, New York, Jeanette Pantano, Artie Kowalski of Lackawanna, New York; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
