Louise Mauro Strauch

1928 - 2025

Strauch, Louise Mauro

Jan 14, 1928 - Jan 23, 2025

Louise Mauro Strauch (known by most as Mama Lou) passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 23, 2025. Eleven days prior, she celebrated her 97th birthday with family at her favorite restaurant, Brennan's.

Lou was born on January 14, 1928, in Montgomery, Alabama. She was the daughter of JC & Bama Herring. Her father worked for W&W (Whitfield) Pickle Company and was transferred to Dallas, Texas where Mama Lou lived until she married Frank P. Mauro in 1946 at the age of 18. They spent their honeymoon at Mayan Ranch in Bandera, Texas. In her 80's and 90's she returned to the Mayan Ranch to celebrate milestone birthdays with much of her family and many friends from many parts of the United States.

Lou and Frank moved to Bryan, Texas in 1946 where Frank completed his Petroleum Engineering degree at Texas A&M University. Lou and Frank had four children (Garry, Sandy, Patti and Mary Lou) and lived in over 25 cities. When asked what was her favorite home, her response was "It's always the one I am living in now." Frank passed away in 1978 from a brain tumor. Years later, Lou married Charlie Strauch. He was a long-time family friend and Garry's Godfather. They settled in Austin, Texas and enjoyed traveling until Charlie passed away in 1993. When asked what was the favorite place she visited, her response was Rome. She also loved spending time in Crested Butte, Colorado, where she invested in a ski condominium that was the site for many trips with family and friends for almost 50 years. The Rocky Mountains were her special place.

Lou loved politics. When her son, Garry, ran for Texas Land Commissioner she couldn't wait to jump on the "Mauro Family Caravan" to travel across Texas to campaign for Garry. For 16 years she was very involved in Garry's campaign for Land Commissioner and again in his 1998 campaign for Governor.

Lou was very involved in the Catholic Church and her faith never waivered. Her faith is what kept her going after the loss of Frank and then Charlie and in 2008 when her daughter, Patti passed away from complications of Weggener's Syndrome. Even through much loss, her faith allowed her to remember the good memories and not focus on sadness.

In 2011, Lou moved to Houston, Texas to live with her daughter, Mary Lou, her son-in-law, Brent and their son Luke. What a blessing that was for all. Mama Lou was happiest in her final years living with Brent, Mary Lou and Luke Summerville. Participating in Luke's activities brought her much joy. She regularly voiced that she was in awe of Brent's kindness towards her and Mary Lou's patience in being her caregiver.

Just as in all the cities she lived before, Lou became very involved in her community and the church. She joined the Guild at St. Anne's and became a Eucharistic Minister. She also played bridge and mah jong with two groups of ladies in addition to being in two book clubs.

Lou is preceded in death by her parents, JC and Bama Herring; siblings Jeannie Davis and George (Jack) Herring; husbands Frank P. Mauro and Charlie Strauch; daughter Patti Patton; and nephews David Herring, Robert Mauro, and Donnie Scarmardo.

Lou is survived by her son, Garry Mauro and significant other Cynthia Schwartz; daughters Sandy Mauro and Mary Lou Summerville and husband Brent Summerville; and, stepson Charles Strauch, Jr. and wife Kathleen. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren (Laura Patton Snow, Paul Patton, Sara Patton, David Mauro, Alexandra Mauro, Dominic Mauro, Andrew Mauro, Frank Mauro, and Luke Summerville); 7 great-grandchildren (Patton Fischbach, Alexus Patton, Marshall Snow, William Snow, Blake Fischbach, Sebastian Mauro, and Jack Bevan); and one great-great grandchild (Elias Gilmore). Lou was also a special aunt to many nieces and nephews (Rick Davis, Ron Davis, Gayle Wren, George Herring, Susan Teeter, Don Mauro, Sherry Mauro, Debra Mauro, Richard Mauro, Mike Scarmardo, and Diane LeFlore)

Lou was truly a force of nature. She was always open to new adventures, and she had a special way of making lifelong friends everywhere she lived. Lou was grateful for her long and fulfilling life. She was adamant that her death be celebrated and not mourned. In her honor, a celebration of life will be held on February 7, 2025, at 11am at St. Anne's Catholic church, 2140 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas 77098. A lunch reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Weavers of Hope.

(www.weaversofhope.com)