Louise Frances Morello-McConnell

Louise Frances Morello-McConnell entered eternal life on January 6, 2015, just eight days before her 102nd birthday. She was born in Hearne, TX on January 14, 1913 to John Paul and Frances Viviano. She was the middle child between two brothers – Paul and Thomas Viviano. Upon marrying Louis Sam Morello of the Hearne area, the couple moved to Houston, TX and opened a grocery store in the West End during the Great Depression. Louis and Louise had three children: Fr. Sam Anthony Morello of the Discalced Carmelite Order; Mary Frances Griffin-Hamby, a long-time educator at St. Francis Episcopal Day School and at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral School; and Louis Sam Morello, Jr., Doctor of Clinical Psychology.

Louise and her husband in 1947 were among the Charter Families of the Catholic Parish of St. Theresa in Memorial Park. She was an active member of the Women’s Club, the Altar Society and the Choir. She was also a member of Caritas and of the Catholic Daughters of America. She loved playing the piano and singing, and enjoyed bridge and poker. Besides being an excellent Italian cook, at Christmas, her favorite Season, she delighted in baking Italian cookies with her sisters-in-law. For a long stint she walked daily, often two miles a day, with close friends. Upon the sudden death of her husband in 1964 she continued operating the 35 year old family business for an additional five years. After selling the store, she regularly attended daily Mass to her great comfort.

In 1974 Louise married Herdon Alvis McConnell, DDS. She was delighted to travel extensively with him. With ‘Doc’ McConnell’s encouragement, Louise volunteered at Texas Children’s Hospital for about five years. After ten years of marriage, Doc predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her two brothers and their wives – Paul and Audrey Viviano and Thomas and Dorothy Viviano. Also predeceasing Louise were her brothers and sisters-in-law: Pete and Vera Morello; Charlie and Bessie Morello; Jeanette and Nunzie Loria; Stella and Tony Lampson; and Rosetta Morello, wife of our Uncle Frank Morello. Louise is survived by her three children, and by her adoring grandchildren: Kathy Louise Griffin; Mary Meghan Norton; Bryan Richard Morello; Allison Elisabeth Morello; and her great-grandchild, Ella Frances Norton (who is getting ready to be joined by a sibling soon). Louise is also survived by her brother-in-law, Frank Morello, Sr. and numerous nieces and nephews of her loving-extended family.

Mother’s three children wish to express deep gratitude for the professional care provided by the Fourth Floor Staff of the Forum at Memorial Woods. Louise spent her last three years under their impressively attentive and gentle care.

On Friday evening January 23, 2015 in The Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston 77024, family and friends are cordially invited to a Visitation from 5 to 8 PM; Rosary at 7 PM. Kathy Griffin will provide a slide show celebrating her grandmother’s life.

On Saturday, January 24 at 10:30 AM the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Theresa’s Church (note this correction to earlier reports), at 6622 Haskell, Houston 77007. Msgr. Michael Jamail, a long-time family friend and Vicar General of the Diocese of Beaumont will preside, with Fr. Sam Anthony Morello, OCD, and Pastor Fr. Philip Lloyd as concelebrants. Interment will follow, via an escorted cortege, in The Garden of Gethsemani at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston 77023 off the Gulf Freeway.

Along with your favorite charities, Memorial Contributions (and Mass intentions) may be directed to Marylake Carmelite Monastery, 5151 Marylake Drive, Little Rock, AR 72206 (Attention: Fr. Sam Anthony Morello). Like in the case of Louise Morello-McConnell, May God bless us all with loving faith in life, and deep peace at death! Amen.