St. Michael's Catholic Church
100 Oak Drive South
Lake Jackson, TX  77566
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
12-1:30pm
Map & Directions  Map & Directions

Send Flowers Send Flowers

Funeral Mass
St Michaels
100 Oak Drive South
Lake Jackson, TX  77566
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
2:00 pm
Map & Directions  Map & Directions

Send Flowers Send Flowers

Mary Elizabeth LaCoume

of Cedar Park, TX

October 19, 1930 - January 3, 2022


  • Obituary
  • Guestbook
Funeral services for Mary Elizabeth Grace LaCoume, age 91, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 11, at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Lake Jackson, Texas, with Father Dwight Canizares officiating. Prior to the funeral service, the family will receive friends for visitation at St. Michael's Church from 12:00 -1:30 p.m. A rosary will follow the visitation at 1:30 p.m. followed by the funeral mass at 2:00 p.m. The family requests masks be worn inside the church during the visitation and services. A graveside service, restricted to immediate family only due to COVID protocol, will take place on a later date at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson.

Mary Elizabeth Grace was born to Leah and James Grace on October 19,1930, in Galveston, Texas. A steadfast BOI, Mary graduated from Ball High School in 1948 where she was an involved member of the Student Congress and many other organizations. Mary attended high school with the love of her life, Jerry Reid LaCoume, but they didn't start dating until after graduation. Mary and Jerry married at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Galveston on June 7, 1953. Soon after their honeymoon to New Orleans, Jerry was deployed on a Naval ship overseas during the Korean War.
While waiting for Jerry to return home, Mary stayed with her parents in Galveston and worked at Hutchings-Sealy National Bank and enjoyed sharing in her father's love of baseball by watching the minor league White Caps. This early love of baseball was continued throughout her life as a lifelong fan of the Astros, attending many games with her father at the Astrodome and her grandson at Minute Maid Park.

Upon Jerry's return from the war, the couple moved to Austin so that Jerry could continue his degree at the University of Texas. During this time, Mary supported Jerry's academic pursuits by working at Austin National Bank. They both were avid Longhorn fans throughout their lives; Mary enjoyed attending UT football games in Austin, Upon Jerry's graduation from UT, Mary moved to Lake Jackson in 1957 where Jerry began his lifetime career with Dow Chemical.
In Lake Jackson, Mary became a devoted mother to Lori in 1961 and Lindy in 1968; she never missed one of the girl's activities or an opportunity to attend a school event. She was an active PTA member and Girl Scout leader for both girls. Socially, Mary was also a longtime member of the philanthropic Beta Sigma Phi Sorority; her involvement in the sorority began in Galveston and continued in Lake Jackson. As a parishioner of St. Michael's Catholic Church, she taught Sunday school and contributed to many different Catholic women's groups. Mary's interest in children and teaching would continue and grow into a career with Brazosport Independent School District, first as a substitute teacher and then as a secretary for many years at Clute Intermediate School. At Clute Intermediate, she would make lifelong friends with staff and could be found giving advice to wayward students in the principal's office.

Upon retirement, Mary continued to substitute in the school district, but she also enjoyed travelling with Jerry. Together, they went with many fun tour groups on trips across Europe and Canada. During this time, Mary also relished in her new status of "Nana" to Valerie, Matthew, Caden and Carly. She again never missed a grandkid's activity and attended many different functions like school events, ice skating competitions, soccer tournaments, basketball games, baseball tournaments and dance recitals.

Mary is survived by her daughter Lori LaCoume McElhaney and husband, Paul; her daughter Lindy LaCoume Goodwin and husband, Brandon; Grandchildren Valerie McElhaney Satterwhite and husband Ryan; Matthew James McElhaney and wife Candice; Caden Reid Goodwin, and Carly Grace Goodwin; and Great-Grandchildren Savanna Grace Satterwhite, Lucy Rose McElhaney, and Clare Grace McElhaney. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Beverly Grace, and husband Jerry Reid LaCoume.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Goodwin, Caden Goodwin, Paul McElhaney, Matthew McElhaney, Ryan Satterwhite, and Kevin Polivka. Kenneth Brown will be an honorary pallbearer. Readers will be Candice McElhaney and Isabel Respondek.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Enclave at Cedar Park and Suncrest Hospice for their care in Mary's final years. Donations in Mary's name are welcomed for St. Michael's Catholic Church at www.osvhub.com/smlj/funds or to the Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements were made through Lakewood Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lakewoodfuneralchapel.com.


Sign Guestbook>>

10 Condolence(s)
Jackie Kimble Johnson
Clute, TX
Thursday, January 20, 2022

Sweet lady. Enjoyed working with her. Prayers for the family.

Esther Rodriguez
Clute, TX
Wednesday, January 12, 2022

My deepest sympathy to Mrs. LaCoume's family. I met her at Clute Intermediate when I was tutoring many years ago. I'll never forget her sending me a sympathy card when my mother died, that was so nice of her. It was a privilege to have known her. Prayers to her family, I will miss her.

Pat and Woody Diehl
Lake Jackson, TX
Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Our condolences and prayers to the LaCoume family. We were so sorry to hear about Mary. The family was so wonderful to have as neighbors on Cardinal Street for many, many years. They will always be great memories for us.

Andrew Chontos and Karie Weiss
Sioux Falls, SD
Tuesday, January 11, 2022

I met Jerry and Mary LaCoume in 1985 while working as an engineering student for Dow Chemical. Jerry provided me a ride to the Chlor-Pyridines plant every day, and the family took me in like a son. I learned a lot about Texas from the LaCoumes, and we visited Austin and Galveston. I tried to return some of the favor by doing yardwork for Jerry, and I learned that poison ivy is pretty common on the Texas coast. Jerry was a kind and patient man, and Mary only made the pair more perfect. She was sympathetic and keen and very wise. I hope one day to enter the gates of Heaven, and I know they will both be there: Jerry will have his soft spoken humor, and Mary will be minding after him. God bless them both, and God bless their daughters and grandchildren. I am a better, and most fortunate person for having known them. Blessed repose.

Linda Lou Guelfi Overbeck
Galveston, TX
Monday, January 10, 2022

Sending my deep sympathy to all of Mary's family.

My memories of Mary date back to childhood as my Grandmother, Adele Bini Guelfi and Mary's grandmother Angiolina Bini Filidei were sisters.

Through the years we kept in touch with each other with birthday cards, Christmas cards and emails. I always enjoyed hearing from her.

I regret that I'm unable to attend the services but I will be there in spirit.

Mary may no longer be with us on Earth, but will always remain with us in our hearts and in our memories.

Jim Renfro
Grapeland, TX
Saturday, January 8, 2022

A lady who brought joy to all around her. Had fun together watching our daughters thrive. We miss both you and Jerry.

Stuart Dornburg
Weesatche, TX
Saturday, January 8, 2022

What a very special lady!! Mary was a joy to know and work with. Her smile was there everyday along with her wit and friendship. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family. God Bless!!

Jo Ann Hall
Lake Jackson, TX
Saturday, January 8, 2022

Lovely fun lady. Loved her much.

Dr. Kathryn Thompson Presley
Bryan, TX
Friday, January 7, 2022

Mary and Jerry were our next door neighbors for many years in Lake Jackson. We've never had better neighbors. Before that, I knew them when we were all at Ball High.
My sincere condolences to the family.


Adalia Maudlin
Lake Jackson,
Friday, January 7, 2022

So sorry for your loss. Mary was a wonderful person. She was a devoted sister in Beta Sigma Phi.