Mary Jane Caruso

Mary Jane “Sam” Burkett Caruso passed away on April 13, 2011. She was born December 30, 1932 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, daughter of Mary Audrey Sullivan and Edgar Ernest Burkett, Sr. She graduated from Charity Hospital School of Nursing, New Orleans in 1953. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1957 from Tulane University. She was assistant supervisor of the Premature Infant Nursery, Charity Guild Hospital, until the birth of her first child. “Sam” married Charles (Chuck) James Caruso, MD. at St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Louisiana on April 21, 1956. The couple moved to Houston, Texas in 1958 where Chuck joined MacGregor Medical Clinic in the practice of pediatrics. “Sam” is survived by her husband, Chuck, their son Charles Lawrence Caruso and wife Sandra Jean Smith Caruso; their daughters, Lisa Paige Caruso Wehmer, widow of the late Gerald James Wehmer; Whitney Blaine Caruso Garney and husband James Lowell Garney; 3 beloved grand-daughters Charlotte Lauren Caruso, Jessica Paige Caruso, and Megan Elizabeth Garney. She is also survived by her only sibling, Edgar Ernest Burkett, Jr. Major USAF Ret. and his wife Mary Higgason Burkett, and numerous nieces and nephews. “Sam” was a very creative person, a painter, quilter, and gardener; she loved games, particularly bridge and word games. She was a dedicated member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women where she volunteered each Wednesday, sat on the board for several years, and considered all the members as family. She will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial to the Capital Campaign Fund, Charity Guild of Catholic Women, 1203 Lovett Blvd., Houston, Texas 77006-3857. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, April 15, 2011 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris Street. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 6922 Chetwood Drive. A special thank you to Nizar Tannir, MD, Zita Lim, PA, Pinky Zoha, RN all with MD Anderson Cancer Center and a hug to Elida Zamarron, RN from Odyssey Hospice.66