Mary Sue Wald

Mary Sue was the daughter of Zolene Matzinger Franklin and Robert Edmond Franklin. A multi-generational native Houstonian, her maternal grandfather was one of the founders of Foley’s Department Stores.

Mary Sue was born on February 3, 1947 in Houston, Texas. As a child, she grew up in Briargrove neighborhood where she attended Grady Elementary, Briargrove Elementary School and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, as a member of the first graduating class to have started as freshmen. She would go on to graduate from Texas Tech University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

Mary Sue met the love of her life, Tim Wald, in 5th grade at Grady Elementary. They would “trade discs” in 6th grade after which Tim would court her over the years. They were Senior Prom dates at Lee High School. When Mary Sue was attending Texas Tech, Tim was in the Army. However, once his duty concluded, he would rejoin Mary Sue at Texas Tech and shortly thereafter they would marry. Their marriage took place on January 25, 1969 in Houston, Texas at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Post-wedding, they returned to Lubbock, Texas to finish school. While in Lubbock they would have 2 children, Lisa and Scott. And post-graduation, they returned to Houston in 1972, where they had 2 more children, Ryan and Laura. They would spend the next 35 years raising their family in Houston while also enjoying time at Tiki Island and Snowmass, Colorado. The last 15 to 20 years they enjoyed living in the Hill Country (Blanco, Texas) and had more recently split time between there and Buena Vista, Colorado. In a few weeks, Tim and Mary Sue would have been celebrating their 55th year of marriage. Mary Sue and Tim were truly lifelong lovers and best friends.

Mary Sue was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a member of the [Junior Forum] President of Parents Council at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart as well as St. Thomas High School. She was always an active participant in her community. She served as a Eucharistic Minister at all 3 of her parishes, Houston, Blanco and Buena Vista Colorado.

She was a socially active person who easily made lifelong friends spanning from Houston to Blanco to Snowmass and Buena Vista. However, she was most proud of being Mom and NaNa to her four children and eight grandchildren. For her children, she was always the loudest parent at their sporting events and an active volunteer at all their schools. She would continue to be their biggest fans and supporters into adulthood.

Mary Sue was a woman of deep faith. She was a lifelong Catholic who maintained close relationships with her pastors and fellow parishioners. When her time to pass arrived on December 22nd, she was ready to meet her Lord and Savior according to “God’s Plan” as she firmly believed.

Mary Sue is survived by her loving husband, Tim; daughter Lisa Lundquist and husband Rick, son Scott Wald, son Ryan Wald and wife Brita, daughter Laura Wald Fondren and her grandchildren Kathleen Campbell and husband Kyle, Angele Lundquist, Timothy Lundquist, Lukas Wald, Gabrielle Wald, Markus Wald and MaryMarie Fondren.

Mary Sue was preceded in death by her father, Robert Edmond Franklin, mother, Zolene Matzinger Franklin and granddaughter, Rebecca Lara Lundquist.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 in the morning on Tuesday the 9th of January at St. Michael’s the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston, where Father Jim Harnan will officiate. Serving as pallbearers are Kyle Campbell, Nick Manteris, Rick Lundquist, Timothy Lundquist, Ryan Wald and Scott Wald. Honorary pallbearers are Frank Matzinger and Tommy Matzinger.

The burial will follow immediately after at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale St. Houston, TX 77023.