Mary Lou was born on April 4, 1925 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the second of seven children born to Monica Evelyn Fox and Louis Anthony Hoch. She fondly recounted her childhood in Wisconsin where her father was a pharmacist and her grandfather owned a cabin in the Dells. When Mary Lou was in the seventh grade, the family drove to Oregon where her father ran a youth camp as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal Program. They passed by Mount Rushmore, which was under construction. She found that she loved traveling and learning by seeing different places.
Mary Lou was gifted musically. She attended Webster College in St. Louis until her family relocated to San Antonio, Texas due to her father's military service during World War II. She transferred to Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) and graduated with a Bachelors in Music in 1947. Her goal was to teach music at the elementary grade level because she was "crazy about little children." Mary Lou then became a music teacher at Ursuline Academy.
In 1948, Mary Lou married Army officer Donald Boyle Stewart (Don) in the chapel at Fort Sam Houston. Their first of five children followed a year later. The children were born and raised in various locations across the US and Europe, including San Antonio, La Rochelle (France), Frankfurt (Germany), and Fort Sill (Oklahoma). The family was also stationed in Braconne and Paris (France), and Staten Island (New York). Don referred lovingly to Mary Lou as the "domestic commander" as she raised an Army family. Mary Lou gladly undertook the bulk of the work involved in moving and then establishing a new home time after time. Speaking about their transfers, she stated that she could follow or be left behind, and she was not going to be left behind. She also expressed much appreciation for the educational opportunities that their children enjoyed by experiencing so many different places and ways of life up close and in person. Mary Lou kept the fires burning at home until Donald retired. Upon retirement, Mary Lou and Don settled again in San Antonio. They were always for each other the one and only "Love of their Life."
Music remained very important to Mary Lou throughout her life. As a young mother, she played the piano in the home. Later, she got an organ. She played the organ in church while stationed abroad. Mary Lou and Don attended many concerts, and she always wanted to sit where she could watch the pianist's hands as they played. Even in her most senior years, she attended the concerts held at her retirement home and enjoyed dancing and tapping her fingers along to the music. Her other interests include her devotion to the Roman Catholic faith, sewing, and needlework.
Mary Lou is survived by her children, Robert Stewart (Joan), David Stewart, Kathleen Herrera (Barney), and Barbara Stewart (Craig); 7 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Monica and Louis Hoch; her husband Don; daughter Monica Bishara; brothers, Joe, John, Louis, and Robert Hoch; and her sisters, Monica Hoch and Margaret O'Brien.
Mary Lou was a woman of contrasts - soft-spoken and spirited, elegant and strong, even tough when warranted. While her journey on this earth is done, Mary Lou made an indelible mark on our lives and in our hearts. Join us in remembering and honoring her.
Please see below for Funeral Services.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Compassion Hospice Texas and Tranquility at Arroya Vista for the loving and highly competent care that they provided.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to Central Catholic High School of San Antonio, TX.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Stewart family.
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