88R31500 BK-D
 
  By: Toth 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.