Maria Connor

Maria is survived by her daughter Christel and husband Larry Cargill of League City, son Pete and wife Deanna Connor of Spicewood, and three beloved grandchildren: Kirsten, Elizabeth and Austin. She is also survived by a brother, Alois Schiessel, and a sister Betty Marcus, of Germany, brother-in-law Steele and Louis Connor of Bryan, sister-in-law Lennie Connor of Tomball, and many nieces and nephews.

Maria was born in Hassfurt, Germany, the second of eight siblings. She met her first husband Erich Esche, in a bomb shelter in Berlin during the height of World War II. They married shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, Erich died six months later in the war. After escaping from a Russian prison camp, Maria made her way to the American Military base in Frankfurt where she worked as a seamstress in the tailor shop, because they offered as she said “one meal free”. There she learned to speak English by reading American comic books. She met many soldiers and officers but only Elmer Connor caught her eye. She married her tall Texan in 1953 and they moved to the states. She became Aunt Marie in the Connor Family and during their 28 years together reared two children. After her children were grown she would babysit for many families in the neighborhood and for the Clear Lake Methodist Church. She found much joy in the young children, and kept in touch with them over the years.

She will be laid to rest in the Houston National Cemetery on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 11:00am. But no doubt she is now enjoying a Kaffeeklatsch with her German friends who preceded her.