Shirley "Lori" Lorraine Aspromonte

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jewel and Frank Ennis; her sister, Janie Cantu; her brother, Ronnie Ennis; her brother-in-law, Charles Aspromonte; her sister-in-law, Rita Aspromonte; and her parents-in-law, Laura and Angelo Aspromonte.

Lori is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Kenneth Aspromonte; her brothers-in-law, Bob Aspromonte and his wife, Karen, and Oscar Cantu; her nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Aspromonte, Deborah Simon and her husband, Terry, Corey Nipert, and Jeff Nipert; as well as many beloved grandnieces and grandnephews.

Lori was born on the 17th of October 1935, in Klein, Montana, to Jewel and Frank Ennis. She and her sister and brother were raised in Renton, Washington. Lori graduated from Renton High School in 1953 and attended the University of Washington before moving to Los Angeles, where she began her career as a flight attendant with Western Air Lines.

Lori and Ken met aboard a flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 1956. Ken, then a Major League Baseball player with the Boston Red Sox, was traveling to Los Angeles for a game. As the story goes, he asked Lori out on a date, she accepted, and their love story began. They were married on the 16th of February 1957, in Renton, Washington, and then flew to Brooklyn, New York, where Ken’s family hosted their wedding reception.

Throughout their 69 years of marriage, Lori stood beside Ken as his baseball career took them to cities across the country, and even abroad to Japan. Together they traveled the world before eventually settling in the Washington, D.C., area. Lori delighted in welcoming family from both sides—her Ennis family from Seattle and the Aspromonte family from Brooklyn—serving as the perfect tour guide and gracious hostess. She loved preparing memorable meals, gathering loved ones around the table, and creating a home where everyone felt welcome.

In 1975, Lori and Ken moved to Houston after Ken and his brother, Bob, acquired a Coors beer distributorship. In the years that followed, Ken’s brother Charles, his wife Rita, and their daughters, Deborah and Elizabeth, also made Houston their home, giving Lori even more opportunities to host cherished family gatherings.

Proud of their Italian American heritage, Lori and Ken were active members of the Italian Cultural & Community Center in Houston, and Lori was a member of the Donne di Domani Organization. She and Ken were also devoted supporters of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) in Washington, D.C. Through Ken’s leadership with the organization, they traveled throughout Italy, forming lasting friendships and creating treasured memories over more than 25 years of involvement.

Lori lived a full and beautiful life, centered on family, friendship, hospitality, and adventure. In recent years, she faced her health challenges with remarkable grace, dignity, and humor. The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to her devoted caregivers and the compassionate medical team at Vantage Hospice for the exceptional care they provided.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o’clock in the afternoon until six o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 13th of August, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

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