Mary Catherine Schooler

Mary Catherine Schooler, 87, left this world peacefully and flew to Jesus in Austin, TX, surrounded by her children and grandchildren on December 3, 2024. 

A prayer service will be on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM at St. Mary's Cathedral.   The family invites you to receptions immediately following both the prayer service and the mass in the Msgr. Smyer Hall at the Cathedral.   The funeral mass will be on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Cathedral.  A private interment will be held at Llano Cemetery

Mary was born to Ray and Catherine Koehler in Dalhart, TX on May 5, 1937. As the oldest daughter in a family of 6 siblings, Mary “mothered” well from an early age. Mary graduated from Dalhart High School where she excelled, especially on the Lady Wolves’ basketball court. Mary moved to Amarillo shortly after completing her schooling to work at Southwestern Public Service. She met Maurice Schooler on a blind date and they were married on February 7, 1959. 

In addition to raising a family, Mary lived out her passion for serving others in the Amarillo area. Some of her favorite projects included Meals on Wheels, Olivia’s Angels, Amarillo Prayer Breakfast, BSA Hospice, and Downtown Women’s Center. Additionally, as a breast cancer survivor, Mary supported many women through their own breast cancer journeys via the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Service to others truly was her way of living out her faith. 

Mary enjoyed her life to its fullest and was blessed to be able travel the world with Maurice and dear friends. She walked with lions in Africa, waded the waters of the River Jordan, celebrated Dia de los Muertos in San Miguel, Mexico, and sipped champagne on the rooftops of Rome. In all of her travels, she loved no place more than her beloved Christmas Island in Cuchara, CO. Christmas Island is where Mary basked in the beauty of God’s wonder and love and spent blessed time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, watching her family play and grow. Our memories of these times will bring us joy forever.

Mary is preceded in death by her sweet husband, Maurice.  Her family, who will honor her legacy of service, includes her sons, Jim and Tom of Amarillo, daughter, Suzanne Eakes and husband Ron of Plains, KS and her two sisters Joan Graham and Louise Conley of Amarillo. Her grandchildren, Erin, Koehler, Gus, Ashley, and Emi, and great granddaughter Ellie, will always treasure their memories of their sassy, spirited “Mum”. 

The family suggests that memorial contribution be made to any of the following:

Life Teen, a program aimed at High School students that encourages community, service, friendship, and evangelization through relational ministry. donations can be sent to: Life Teen c/o Amy Ramsey 1200 S. Washington, Amarillo, TX 79102,

or the Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light, or donations by mail can be sent to: Sancta Maria Convent, P.O. Box 906 | Panhandle, TX 79068, 

or The Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ or donations by mail can be sent to: 1828 Mustang Street, Amarillo, TX 79102.