Marianne Therese Sacco Stearns

Marianne was born in Houston, Texas, on January 30, 1932, at St. Joseph’s Hospital to Marion Charles Sacco and Lucy Lobue Sacco, the fourth of five children. Marianne spent all but five years in Houston, Texas. She grew up living above her family’s grocery store, Mandell Grocery, at the corner of Mandell and Fairview, located at what was then the last trolley stop of west Houston.

Marianne was particularly close to her younger brother, Leonard Sacco, and often referenced his late wife, Joy, as her sister rather than her sister-in-law. She was beloved by her many, many first cousins, both Lobue and Sacco, and was known as “sweet Marianne.”

Marianne attended St. Anne’s Catholic School and St. Agnes Academy, graduating in 1950. She attended Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas, for two years, after which she returned home to help with the family business at her mother’s request. Upon returning to Houston, Marianne met her husband, Robert “Bob” Stearns, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. They were married on April 21, 1953, at St Anne’s Catholic Church and remained married for over 70 years until Bob’s death on August 25, 2023. The story goes that Bob asked Marianne to marry him on their first date, but she demurred, saying he would have to ask her father. Bob persisted, and shortly thereafter, they were married. The next 10 years brought six children, three sons and three daughters. Decades later, Marianne was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren to whom she was affectionately known as Mema.

While raising her family, Marianne’s home was filled with food, friends and activity. She often said she “couldn’t boil water” when she married Bob. However, she must have learned quickly to cook for her growing brood, as food was a staple of her love for others. Fried chicken, homemade potato salad, meatloaf, manicotti, lasagne, homemade sugo (tomato sauce), crab cakes with salad greens and vinaigrette, lemon chiffon pie, banana split cake, chocolate sheet cake, banana pudding (with vanilla wafers of course), red velvet cake and more filled our stomachs.

Marianne was a friend to everyone she met. Wherever she lived, Thrush Street (Houston, Texas); Barstow, California; Wadebridge Way (Houston, Texas); Triway Lane (Houston, Texas) and Cherry Creek Bend Court (Houston, Texas), friendships blossomed and remained long past the next move even to the next generation of the children of her friends. Marianne and Bob loved entertaining and participating in dinner groups with friends. Marianne was well loved by both her family and her friends.

Throughout her children’s years at home and well after as they moved on to college and their own lives, Marianne remained both involved and a pillar of strength, faith, and love to her children. She and Bob made many road trips to Austin throughout the 70’s and 80’s to visit and feed their children and their children’s friends who were attending The University of Texas, hauling briskets, beans, and potato salad to feast on during their time together. Marianne traveled to lend a hand when children were born abroad to two of her children and was just a phone call away for four children who remained near. She and Bob cared for their eldest cherished son, Robert Michael, along with his wife, Suzie in their home during Robert’s illness and until his death in 1989.

Marianne was a devout Catholic. She adored the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Mother, Mary. Marianne was devoted to the Holy Rosary and her Novenas, and the study of the Divine Will. Her prayer life was an integral part of her existence. When Marianne experienced the loss of her beloved son Robert Michael, it was her unwavering faith in God and His plan that sustained her. Marianne and Bob were active parishioners at several churches in the area, including Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. John Vianney. Marianne lived out her faith with tangible acts of mercy. At St. Catherine of Sienna, Marianne served as the coordinator of the Gabriel Project, collecting diapers, formula, bottles, and other items for pregnant women in need, a true devotion.

Marianne was a treasured wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend to so many throughout the course of her beautiful life. Her gift of connecting with others through her counsel, faith, and acts of kindness, making them feel special and understood, cannot be measured or expressed with simple words. Marianne exuded an incredible capacity to love and fill the air with her grace. She had an innate talent for making things around her beautiful, be it a bow on a gift, a table setting for a party, or a room filled with laughter. Marianne’s taste was impeccable and refined. Her ability to fall in love with the most expensive item in a shop without looking at the price tag was a gift passed on to her daughters and granddaughters.

Marianne is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; their son, Robert Michael; her parents, Marion and Lucy Sacco; her sister, Frances Marie; and her brothers, Reverend Father Charles Sacco and Grady Sacco. They are waiting with open arms to welcome Marianne into the Father’s heavenly grace.

Marianne is survived by her son, John Stearns (Agnes), daughter, Kathleen Kopp (Steve); daughter, Anne Lewin (Graham); daughter, Sharon Corso (Joe); and son, Thomas Stearns (Kathleen); grandchildren Lyndsay Kopp Pilkinton (Larry); Jennifer Stearns; Jeffrey Kopp (Meredith); Mathew Stearns (Natasha); Joseph Stearns; Michael Stearns (Greta); Madeleine Lewin Hilsher (Maxwell); Kylie Kopp Paradowski (Alec); Caroline Lewin; Robert Corso; Charles Corso; Edward Lewin; Mary Margaret Stearns; and Mary Kathryn Corso; great-grandchildren Gage Pilkinton; Henry Pilkinton; Nolan Kopp; Tate Pilkinton; Wesley Kopp; Emelia Kopp; Harper Hilsher; and Ryan Paradowski, as well as her dear brother, Leonard Sacco, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mom and Mema, we love you. We know you are with Dad (PaPa) and your precious Robert, your parents, and your siblings who preceded you, and the many other family members and friends waiting for sweet Marianne to join them in the heavenly bosom of the Father. Pray for us. Watch over us from above. Our reliance on your kindness, wisdom, and love does not end with your death, as death is not the end but the beginning of your eternal life.

Visitation and rosary are on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 4 pm to 8 pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home in the Chapel. The entrance to the funeral home is at 12800 Westheimer, Houston, Texas.

The funeral will begin at 10:30 am on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, located at 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas. A reception will immediately follow in the church hall. The procession to the cemetery with burial will commence at 2 pm. Marianne will be laid to rest at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery at 12800 Westheimer, Houston, Texas.