Mary Elizabeth Trumble

Our beloved mother, Mary Elizabeth Trumble, passed from this life at home on April 20, 2012 at the age of 77. She was born October 12, 1934 in Centralia, Illinois. Mrs. Trumble was a registered nurse and a geriatric nurse practitioner, whose career spanned nearly 50 years beginning in 1954 when she received her Nurses Diploma. She continued her education to include a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991, followed by a Masters of Science Degree and certification as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner in 1992. She was a proud alumna of the Masters Nursing program at UT- Houston Health Sciences Center. She was a dedicated pioneer in the field of Hospice care, and was instrumental in originating The Hospice at The Texas Medical Center. She also devoted many years to the study of Geriatric medicine when the field was just beginning in the 1980’s, and her contributions to Hospice and Geriatric medicine will enrich these fields for decades to come. Mary’s compassion and humor enriched the lives of her patients, colleagues and family and she is deeply missed. In 1994, Mary and her husband Ted (posthumously) had a dream realized when they established The Theodore J. & Mary E. Trumble Professorship in Aging Research at the University Of Texas- School Of Nursing at Houston/ Center on Aging. This scholarship benefits the education/training of deserving professionals in the field of Geriatric Nurse Practitioners.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Irma Edna Ballard, nee Cox and father, J. Stanley Ballard, of Centralia, Illinois; her brothers Robert J. Ballard and George Ballard, and her sister, Florence Ballard. Her beloved husband, Theodore J. Trumble, M.D., passed away in 1993 and she endured the death of her eldest son, Stephen Michael Trumble in 1999. She is survived by her daughters Kathleen Marie Bach and her husband Michael, Patricia Anne Bechter and her husband Allan, Teresa Trumble Guerrero, M.D., and son Theodore J. Trumble II, M.D. and his wife Sylvia Marie Trumble, M.D. as well as her daughter-in–law, Janet Hinton Trumble. Mary has 12 grandchildren, who will always remember her as their “Grammy”. Matthew Lawrence. Bach, Stephen Daniel (Danny) Trumble, Mary Anna (Anna) Trumble, Paul Stephen Bechter, Eric Brooks Bechter, Andrew Joseph Bechter, Gabriela Marie Guerrero, Milton Joseph (Tico) Guerrero, William Michael Trumble, Theodore J (TJ) Trumble III, Helen Elizabeth Trumble, and Sarah Kimberly Trumble. Mary’s children and grandchildren would like to thank Alma and Maira Ramirez and their families for the love and care you gave our mother- you brightened her life and ours, and you will always be part of our family. Mother’s devoted companion, canine confidant, and sometimes spokesperson, “Gigi”, joins us in our sorrow and looks for Mom every day.

Friends may pay their respects from 12:00pm to 9:00pm on Thursday April 26, 2012. A Rosary will be recited from 6:30pm-7:00pm in the Levy Chapel. The Rosary will be led by Deacon Gus Camacho. The family will receive friends directly following the Rosary at a wake in the Levy Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday April 27, 2012 at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway, with Con-celebrants Reverend Monsignor Bill Young and Reverend Eric Ritter officiating. They will be assisted by Deacon Dan Pagano and Seminarian Paul Bechter. Interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery where Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband Ted. Following the graveside service come celebrate Mary’s life with us at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck 2425 Norfolk St., Houston TX 77098 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Many thanks to Teresa and Rusty Andrew’s for opening their hearts and their fine establishment to our family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: The Theodore J. & Mary E. Trumble Professorship in Aging Research. Checks should be made out to UTHSC Houston School of Nursing Trumble Professorship, and sent to UTHSC School of Nursing, Office of Development, 6901 Bertner Ave, Houston TX 77030.