Marie Tamborello Aydam

1928 - 2025

Marie Tamborello Aydam
09/03/1928 - 06/02/2025
Marie Ann Tamborello Aydam, lovingly known as "Mother Superior," passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025, on the cusp of 98. She was the devoted wife of William H. "Billy" Aydam for 65 joyful years and the proud mother of Patricia, Ginger, Bill, and Valerie. As the eldest of 13 children born to Dorothy Augusta Peters Tamborello and Joseph Samuel Tamborello, Marie embraced family and the responsibility at a young age of helping her parents with their bustling big family and often assisted her father with translations from Italian to English.
A native Houstonian, she attended Saint Anne's, Saint Agnes Academy, and the University of St. Thomas. She met Billy at Catholic Newman Center dances, and together they built a life of love and service to others. Marie was a member of St. Cyril's Church where she created an early education center through the Progressive Montessori movement.
Her civic involvement included leadership roles with the Assistance League of Houston, Houston Ballet, Ballet Austin, Texas Governor's Mansion, Women's League of Houston, and the Austin Women's Club. She was known for her warmth, compassion and high standards.
Marie had a gift for hospitality and cooking. Her home was a gathering place of laughter, food, and joy. She loved travel and cherished time in Galveston, where her ashes and Billy's will be cast at sea in a private ceremony.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, daughter Patricia, and siblings Salvador, Genevieve, Dell, Mitzie, Charles and Joseph S. (Bubba) Tamborello, Magdalen Tamborello Van Nes, Ann Lucia (Lolly) Tamborello Baker, Camille Tamborello Hill.
Marie is survived by children Ginger Aydam Mitchell, Bill Aydam, Valerie Aydam Decker; grandchildren Will Wilchar, Hannah Wilchar Lloyd, Hogan Aydam, Ellen Aydam Ringle, Chris Aydam, Madelyn Decker, Frances Decker Ralston; and great-grandchildren Genevieve, Harry, Tripp, Forrest, and Willie.