MARY CATHERINE “KATIE” MCCONN
Mary Catherine “Katie” Burke McConn, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away Saturday, the 18th of May 2019. She was 92 years of age. She was born on the 20th of February 1927, in Houston, Texas, the second of eight children born to Quo Vadis Quayle and John Joseph Burke, Sr. A life-long devout Catholic, Katie was baptized, attended school and was married at St. Anne Catholic Church. She graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas and attended the University of Houston.
Katie was happily married for 71 years to John Luke “Jack” McConn, Jr. who passed away four months ago on the 6th of January
. She was the consummate hostess, welcoming anyone into her home filled with laughter, love and more than likely a beef tenderloin in the oven. She was famous for her ice box cookies, her butterscotch sauce and, above all, her banana nut bread she frequently delivered to family and friends.
She was actively involved in her children’s lives and their schools, which included St. Michael Catholic School, St. Thomas High School, and St. Agnes Academy where she served as President of their Mothers Clubs. Katie will be remembered for her passion and devotion to so many great Catholic causes, including the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, Basilian Fathers of St. Thomas, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and the Dominican Friars, where she tirelessly volunteered her time, never shy about asking for donations and items, no matter the size, to support her latest auction or gala. She was also a member of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
She is survived by daughter Kathleen “Kathy” McConn Smith (husband, Bill), sons John Luke McConn III (wife, Christiana), Stephen Burke McConn, Mark Daniel McConn (wife, Susie), daughter Erin McConn Hughston (husband, Tom), brother Jack Burke, Jr. (wife, Robin) and sister-in-law’s Toni Burke and Margie McConn. Katie was affectionately known as “Big Katie” to her 17 grandchildren; Shannon Smith Strehli (Scott), Christiana Smith Stojanik (David), and Katie Smith Phillipi (Bane); Isla McConn Jornayvaz (Joseph), John Luke McConn IV (Rachel), Douglas McConn (Ann), Kate McConn Fazio (Anthony), Mark McConn, Randa McConn and Mary Kelly McConn; Daniel, Meg and Matthew McConn; Ainsley, Thomas, John Luke, and Hanna Hughston; 15 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Katie is preceded in death by her parents, husband John Luke McConn, Jr., brother’s Eddie (Mary Evelyn “Puddin”), Billy (Betty) and Jimmy Burke and sister’s Margaret Ann, Beverly Lane (Harry) and Susie VanZandt (Hobby).
The funeral mass is to be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 21st of May, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3617 Milam Street in Houston, where Fr. Juan Torres, O.P, is to serve as the celebrant. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at the church.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers during Tuesday’s services are her grandsons; John Luke McConn IV, Douglas McConn, Mark McConn, Daniel McConn, Matthew McConn, Thomas Hughston and John Luke Hughston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions made be directed to Holy Rosary Catholic Church 3617 Milam St., Houston, TX 77002; Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030; or to the charity of one’s choice.