Maxine Laverne Tomek Hocher

Maxine Laverne Tomek Hocher (May 12, 1915-February 21, 2011) was born the second of five children to Dora and Theodore Tomek in the Houston Heights at her family’s home at 1616 Courtlandt. At age twelve she began piano lessons; music and the piano remained very important to her throughout her life. In her teens and early twenties she played for church school and church services at Grace Methodist Church, where she and Theodore L. Hocher were married on June 20, 1937. They had three children – Richard, Linda and Barbara. In the early 1940s the family moved to Pecan Park in Southeast Houston, where they were charter members of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church. A pillar of the St. Andrew’s community, Maxine was active as church pianist, Sunday-School teacher, financial secretary, and a leader in the Women’s Society for Christian Service, where she was district treasurer for several terms. She was a devoted mother, supporting her three children in their endeavors and aspirations. She was a frequent room mother and chaperone for school outings. She was an excellent cook. Her extraordinary loyalty as a friend, her huge heart, great sense of humor and easy laughter were endearing qualities. Her husband Theo passed away in 1994. Maxine is survived by her children Richard and Judy Hocher of Round Rock, Texas; Linda and Thomas Bennett of Huffman, Texas; Barbara Hocher of New York, New York; her four grandchildren - Robert, David, Beth, and Stephen - and six great grandchildren - Meghan, Aaron, Jacob, Andrew, John, and Emily; her brother Charles Tomek of Houston; and nieces and nephews.

Feb 25: visitation 10-11am, service 11am, Forest Park Lawndale.