Maryrose Maus

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Maryrose Maus, 85, died July 14 2014, after suffering a sudden stroke, followed by a brief coma.

While she waited here, on earth to join the Lord, she was ministered to by the Catholic clergy who prepared her soul with the instruments of God’s grace...and received prayers from her many friends and fellow congregants.  I would especially like to thank Fr. Whewell, Deacon Penwell, Saint Vincent’s hospital, and Saint Barbara’s prayer chain.

Maryrose was not alone, in her final hours; two of her sons were with her.  In the end, God took the hand Mary’s youngest was holding into his own, and guided her home.  As silent tears were shed by those left behind, Maryrose went to join those who had gone before her:  Her beloved Father, Roy, who died many years ago, taking a piece of Mary’s heart with him.  Her Mother, Roseanna, a strong stout pioneer woman who was the epitome of devotion and duty, her much loved brother David and his wife Esther who tirelessly worked the farm after the passing of the first generation; tilling the earth and producing food to feed a nation.

Maryrose came from a long line of good decent people; the kind of people who form the backbone of our society and make it work. 

When Mary decided to make the Powell, Ralston and Cody area her home, she chose the community, because it embodied those values she held dear…family, community, faith, hard work, common decency and a shared sense of responsibility for the welfare of others. 

As I have often said, “My Mom could not have picked a better place to live out her life.  In Powell, it is as if you have turned the world back 40 years to a time where people still care about one another.  If you are sick they check on you, if you are old they stop by to make sure you are ok, and business is still conducted fair and square.” 

My Mom may have been miles from me, but knowing she was surrounded by such wonderful people, was more important than any selfish desire I might have had to have her near me. I always felt she was safe in the arms of your community, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Maryrose spent her young adult years, married to Donavon Maus.  He was as stunningly handsome as he was difficult.  He died several decades ago.  They had four children, Daryl who finally found Bethany who loves him for who he is, Richard, who got it right the first time when he married Maureen, Rosemary, who had to date a lot of “bad guys” before she finally opened her eyes and saw the really “nice guy”, Blane, who had been there for her all along.  “Thanks Mom for pointing that out.” and Steven who searched a long time before finding the yin to his yang, Debbie, who, surprisingly, actually does like going to NASCAR races and “hearts” wiener dogs.

Maryrose had four grandchildren: Porter, Asia, Michelle and Eric.  Her deepest regret was that she did not live closer to them when they were growing up and never stopped looking for ways to try and let them know, that she loved each of them profoundly.  

Maryrose also had two Great Grandchildren, Brytin and Taylin who she was blessed to visit just weeks before her death.  She had many nieces and nephews, but was especially close to Susan, who meant the world to her the last year of her life, David Porter, who she considered to be one of her own, and Bill. 

Maryrose was, at her core, a nurturing, caring individual who felt a profound duty to others.  As such, she embraced a career in nursing, which continued throughout her life and into retirement where she sought out ways to volunteer and help people.  She sat with the sick, visited the forgotten, found help for those who needed more than she could give, and was a fierce advocate for those who could not advocate for themselves.

When Mary’s age made her mission harder she developed her own unique telephone ministry.  Many times I overheard her comforting the frail and frightened, as day after day she called to check on their welfare and let them know they were not alone.

Maryrose Maus had a special affinity for the elderly, which necessarily expanded to comforting those left behind when someone died.  Many people received books, cards and letters of support from Mary following the death of a loved one.  And, those cards kept coming long after it seemed everyone else had forgotten that your special someone was gone…except you, and Maryrose.

If there is a lesson to be learned from Maryrose, it is that compassion and caring are not discrete acts triggered by bad events, but virtues to be expressed continuously; day in and day out.  Compassion does not come from a government. It comes from Christian values lived outwardly, expressed by individuals and communities as they personally help one another.   Maryrose knew we can’t all be doers of big things, but most of us can build a body of caring through little things.

She never forgot birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, (and not so special occasions).  This year when she left my home to return to Wyoming, she gave me cards to deliver on Father’s Day.  One was for my husband, one for my brother; both were signed by their dogs.   Got to love Mom..!

Late in life Maryrose married Joseph Stack, who was an absolute character.  They were both better for having found one another.  At an age when others might sit comfortably waiting for death, Joe and Maryrose set off to build a tomorrow in Wyoming.  They filled their new life with new friends, a new church, new animals, new hobbies, new projects, new people for Maryrose to care for…always looking forward…always looking to the future.

After Joe died, it was hard for Maryrose to carry on.  There were times she did not think she could, but the caring and concern and enduring friendships she found in Powell helped her through the dark days, her faith and the friends she had left behind helped her with the rest.

Towards the end of her life, my Mom was still fighting the good fight to remain independent and self-sufficient.  I knew that there were days it was hard for her to get out of bed, and I, perhaps overlooked the courage it took for her to do so, as age continued to rob her a little bit each day.

There was not a day she did not miss Joe.  She wondered why God, did not take her.  She told herself there must be some reason God had left her behind.  Perhaps it was someone to help or something she must finish.  I think, each day started with the thought that she had a job to do…she just needed to figure out what it was.

I know you will understand, and perhaps chuckle a bit, when I say, that Maryrose’s methods may not have always been ideal, but her intentions were always good.  As her daughter, I have been the object of her not so subtle good intentions on many occasions.  Like when my mailbox started filling up with wrinkle creams ordered by someone in Wyoming.

As I said her intentions were good, but…

A funeral Mass will be held at Saint Barbara’s Catholic Church on August 18th at 10:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.  A burial in Minnesota is planned at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 1635 Springwood Drive, Spring Branch TX 78070 or by emailing:  mrmaus@live.com

Please feel free to share any “Maryrose stories” you might have with the family.

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