H.R. No. 2306
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The citizens of The Woodlands lost a beloved member
of the community with the passing of Mary-Lou Fitch on October 2,
2021, at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, Maria-Louisa Knapp Köhler was born in
Czechoslovakia on December 22, 1944; she experienced a tumultuous
start to her life when her city was invaded by the Red Army and her
birth father was killed; after being driven out of the country, her
family settled in Germany, where she was raised by her mother and
stepfather; and
WHEREAS, Following the end of World War II, she immigrated to
the United States in 1958 and became a U.S. citizen in 1962; she
inherited her passion for community service from her parents, and
after learning to play the accordion at age 10, she volunteered to
perform music at nursing homes and community centers; she continued
her volunteer work while living in upstate New York, where she
graduated from college; around that time, she met her future
husband, Gary Fitch; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Mr. Fitch's career took the couple to The
Woodlands; they built a home in Grogan's Point, and Mrs. Fitch went
on to serve the neighborhood during several terms as president of
the Grogan's Point Residents Association; over the course of 33
years, she had a hand in establishing many organizations and events
in The Woodlands, including Class Act Productions, the Montgomery
County Women's Council of Organizations, The Woodlands Holiday Home
Tour, and The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra; she also contributed
her time and talents to charitable causes such as Montgomery County
Youth Services, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, CASA, Toys
for Tots, and Interfaith of The Woodlands, and she was especially
dedicated to bettering the lives of children in need; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Mrs. Fitch received numerous
recognitions, including the First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
Award and the Houston Humanitarian Award, and she was honored with
The Woodlands Hometown Hero Award in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Above all else, Mrs. Fitch was a loving mother to
her four daughters, Marlies, Melissa, Monica, and Michelle, and she
took great pride in her treasured grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mary-Lou Fitch made a profound impact on the lives
of countless others, and she will forever be remembered with deep
admiration and affection by all those who were fortunate enough to
know her; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Mary-Lou Fitch and
extend sincere sympathy to her family and friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Mary-Lou
Fitch.
Toth
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2306 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 29, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House