Pauline Roberta Cusack

1940 - 2022

Pauline Roberta Cusack, nee Pearce, passed away peacefully Monday evening, Nov. 14, 2022, after a long battle with cancer.

Pauline is survived by her husband of sixty-two years, Michael Cusack; her sons, Michael Cusack, Jr. and his wife, Donna; Christopher Cusack and his wife, Marla; and Patrick Cusack and his wife, Lisa. And her six precious grandchildren - Brendan Cusack, Cameron Cusack, Michael Cusack, III, Ethan Cusack, Connor Cusack, and Clara Cusack.

Pauline was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on Feb. 8, 1940, to Paul Robert Pearce, a grain inspector and lawyer and Fannie Mills Yater, a music teacher. Pauline found a passion for acting at an early age, studying at the Fort Worth Children's Theater School and with the Fort Worth Civic Opera. Her love of acting soon found her crossing the pond to England, where she was accepted into and studied Acting at the prestigious Arts Educational School, London, for three terms. Returning to the United States, Pauline went to Stephens College and continued her acting instruction. While at Stephens, she played Anne Frank in "Anne Frank." Pauline performed in summer stock with the Oregon Shakespearean Festival. She returned to Fort Worth and enrolled in Texas Christian University. While in Fort Worth, Pauline returned to the stage, playing the lead role in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado." She found her most significant role when she met her future husband, Michael Cusack, also of Fort Worth. After a whirlwind courtship, Pauline and Michael were married. They welcomed their firstborn, Michael Francis Cusack, Jr., in December of 1960 in Zurich, Switzerland, where Michael was assistant Stage Manager with the Zurich Opera.

Pauline and Mike returned to Texas and set up a home in Houston. While Mike worked as the director of photography at the ABC TV affiliate KTRK Channel 13, Pauline soon found her passion in Republican state politics. While raising her three boys, she returned to the acting world, but this time behind the scenes, where she taught Theatre and Speech at St. Thomas' Episcopal School and remained teaching until her retirement in 1990.

Pauline was also active with the Houston Grand Opera for many years, as first Vice-President and co-chairman of fundraising.

Upon retiring, Pauline moved to Willow City, Texas, outside of Fredericksburg, where she raised Longhorn Cattle alongside of her husband. With her passion for politics reemerging, Pauline became actively involved with the Gillespie County Republican Party and the Texas Federation of Republican Women.

Pauline was published, having written, "History, Legacy, and the Law" for the Eakin Press imprint.

Pauline was an active member of the Fredericksburg Church of Christ, her church home.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday Nov. 23, 2022 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Church of Christ in Fredericksburg.

Funeral Service will take place at 11 a.m. in the Church Of Christ in Fredericksburg with interment to follow in the Greenwood Cemetery.

In place of flowers, Pauline would appreciate a donation be made in her name to the Cherokee Children's Home.