CHARLOTTE — Mariana Hancock Kuester, 92, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Monday, October 28, 2012. One of seven children, Mariana was born March 6, 1920 in Oxford, NC to the late U.S. Congressman, Franklin Wills Hancock, Jr. and Lucy Landis Hancock.
After graduating from St Mary's Jr. College in Raleigh, she moved to Charlotte. There she met and was courted by Faison Kuester, a native of Charlotte, whose father (Clarence Kuester) was head of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce for over 25 years. The couple was married in 1941 at St. Stevens Episcopal Church, in Oxford, NC. The guest list included then-President of the United States - Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Mariana loved her home, her neighbors and her neighborhood on Beverly Drive where she lived for 65 years. Also dear to her were the many years spent at her family's beach house at Virginia Beach where she gathered with her children and grandchildren. She was a life long member of Christ Episcopal Church and the Charlotte Country Club.
She will be remembered as a beautiful "extraordinary, ordinary woman". One of simple pleasures: her pound cakes, her ham biscuits, her pony beers, her expert bridge skills, her gracious hospitality and her beautiful manners.
Mrs. Kuester was preceded in death by her late husband, Faison Shaw Kuester, married over 50 years, and brothers: Franklin Wills Hancock, 3rd, Charles Hancock, and sister, Lizzie Falkner. She is survived by her daughter, Mariana Cox, husband Ray of Greensboro, NC and their children: Landis Best, husband Jim of Brooklyn, NY; Kelley Smith, husband Dana of Cary, NC; Lawrence Cox, wife Joanna of Greensboro, NC; son Faison Shaw Kuester, wife Carol of Charlotte and their children: Shaw Kuester, wife Maren of Charlotte, Bryan Kuester, wife, Dianna of Fort Mill, SC and Eric Kuester, wife Katie of Pinehurst, NC:; son Frank Kuester, wife Bonnie of Greensboro and daughter, Amy Kuester of Charlotte; great grandchildren: Gibson and Zach Smith; Lucy, Teddy and James Best; Colter and Mary Cox; Reid and Dillon Kuester; Jackson Kuester; John Wells and Ford Kuester; brothers: Robert and Alex Hancock and sister Lucy Moore, all of Oxford, NC; sister-in-law: Betty Kuester of Charlotte as well as many nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate Mariana's life will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2012 at Christ Episcopal Church with Rev. Lisa Saunders officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Blue Room. Interment will take place in the Church Memorial Garden.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of Sardis Oaks for the care provided Mariana and a special thanks to her personal caregivers: Michelle Martin and Renee Robinson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church,1412 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207.
TH Robertson Funeral Services Lic. is serving the family: www.throbertson.com
