Annette DeWalch Strake

Annette was born in Houston on the 20th of June 1937, to her loving parents, Frank Anthony DeWalch and Gladys King DeWalch. She was a proud alumnus of St. Agnes Academy and she attended St. Thomas University.

Annette was a devoted Christian who cherished her Catholic faith, her family, and most of all, George, her beloved husband of almost 65 years. She and George married on the 10th of January 1959 at St. Anne Catholic Church. Their love for one another has been their greatest gift to their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the entire community. Their marriage has been a true inspiration of Godly love.

She was a devoted parishioner at St. Michael Catholic Church where you could find her every Sunday sitting by George’s side. She had a servant’s heart and loved to volunteer in her community. She served on numerous boards including the Catholic Charity Guild, St. Agnes Academy, the Houston Aphasia Recovery Center (HARC), the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation and many more. She was a loving, giving soul known for her philanthropic spirit. Among countless charities, she and George were faithful supporters of the Barbara Bush Celebration of Reading event which they attended every year since its inception. She was also a proud member of the Donne di Domani Club and she loved representing her Italian heritage.

She loved life to the fullest. She cherished her time, traveling with her family and lifelong friends. Her home was always open to everyone, especially during the holidays, as well as her famous Dancing with the Stars parties. To be at her table was a joy, she truly loved being with her family. We will forever cherish her love and festive spirit for each and every holiday, and feel blessed to have grown up with the many traditions and memories she fostered; traditions that will carry on for generations to come.

She is survived by her husband, George William Strake, Jr., her brother Donald Paschal DeWalch and his wife, Sally Binz DeWalch, her six children, George William “Trey” Strake III (Dana), Stephen DeWalch Strake (Carla), Michele Marie Strake, Melanie Strake Meeks (Mace), Gregory Patrick Strake (Lacey) and Melissa Strake Griffith (Paul). Her generosity and love for life will live on forever through her 17 grandchildren to include 10 spouses and 17 great grandchildren as well as two great grandchildren to come and many countless nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Gladys DeWalch and her brother Robert Joseph DeWalch.

The family would like to send a heartfelt thanks to the many friends who have offered prayers of love and support. We also extend our unending gratitude to her loving caregivers to whom we are forever grateful.

A Mass and Celebration of Life is to be conducted at four o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 5th of December, in the Reckling Gymnasium at St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Cemo Auditorium of the Moran Fine Arts Building on campus.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to Amazing Place, 3735 Drexel Dr., Houston, TX 77027; or to the Houston Aphasia Recovery Center (HARC), 5005 Woodway Drive, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77056.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort with her family by selecting the "Add a Memory" icon below.

“While Waiting for Thee”

Don’t weep at my grave,

For I am not there,

I’ve a date with a butterfly

To dance in the air.

I’ll be singing in the sunshine,

Wild and free,

Playing tag with the wind,

While I’m waiting for thee.

The Comfort and Sweetness of Peace

After the clouds, the sunshine,

after the winter, the spring,

after the shower, the rainbow,

for life is a changeable thing.

After the night, the morning,

bidding all darkness cease,

after life’s cares and sorrows,

the comfort and sweetness of peace.

- Helen Steiner Rice