MARY KAY PITTS

1932-2021

Mary Kay Pitts, age 88, died February 28, 2021, while in hospice care, after a long illness. Mary Kay was born March 20, 1932, in Ashtabula, Ohio, and later moved with her family to Houston where she was a 1950 graduate of San Jacinto Senior High School and an alumna of the University of Houston. After college, Mary Kay pursued a successful career in public relations, the broadcast media and the organization of political campaigns. In 1964, while serving as Media Director in the Houston office of the national advertising agency of Erwin, Wasey, Ruthraff and Ryan, Inc., Mary Kay was elected President of the Houston Chapter of American Radio and Television Women.

Mary Kay is preceded in death by her husband of twenty-four years, Loy Dell Pitts, who served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army Air

Corps during World War II, and after being honorably discharged, had a successful career in the insurance business in Houston. Mary Kay is also preceded in death by her father Walter Stewart “Walt” Mansell and her mother Lucille Edna Robinson Mansell. Walt Mansell was a highly respected and honored newspaperman who worked on the “old” Houston Press, The Houston Post and as political editor of the Houston Chronicle and her mother was a dedicated teacher in the Houston Independent School

District.

Mary Kay’s friends sincerely thank the Memorial Hermann Hospice Team and the directors and staff at Com

For Care Bellaire Assisted Living Facility for their loving and supportive care of Mary Kay during her illness. Mary Kay loved her pets and was a generous supporter of organizations which advocated for the welfare of pets and endangered wildlife. Those who wish to make a charitable contribution in Mary Kay’s name may wish to consider Citizens for Animal Protection; 17555 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77094, or a similar organization.

There will be a private service at the Houston National Cemetery where Mary Kay’s ashes will be interred alongside her beloved husband Loy.

Condolences may be offered at www.millerfuneral.com