Mary Louise Porter Bailey died of ALS on February 11, 2021 at home with her devoted family by her side. She was born in Buda, Texas on November 17, 1953 to John D. Porter, III, a dairyman who raised Guernsey cattle, and Elizabeth Jim Barton Porter, an English teacher at Buda High School.
She spent her childhood on the family farm and enjoyed small town life surrounded by family and friends that were a constant of Buda at that time. She would often recall picking up the party line telephone to ask the operator where her grandmother was, and being put through to the friend’s house where her grandmother happened to be.
She attended Buda schools until her sophomore year when she went to St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin. It was there where she met many lifelong friends and her future husband, Scott. Following graduation, she attended Duke University and The University of Texas School of Law.
Mary Louise then moved to Houston in 1979 to practice law and was named partner at her firm. She and Scott reconnected there and they married in 1982. She left the law practice when her only child, Katherine, was born. The following 13 years in Houston were made particularly meaningful by her friendships in The Quilt Group.
Following the death of her mother in 1999, the family returned to the farm in Buda where they lived until she and Scott recently moved to Austin. She returned to work in 2004 at St. Stephen’s where she assumed the role of Director of Alumni Relations. She was instrumental in ensuring all alumni would feel at home on The Hill, and retired in 2017.
When not spending time with friends and family, Mary Louise enjoyed quilting, reading British murder mysteries, watching Jeopardy!, working with local nonprofits, and solving the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle with ease in pen. Her dogs brought her profound joy. She will be remembered for her quick wit, distinct intelligence, and, most importantly, her unfailing kindness to all.
Mary Louise is survived by her husband of 39 years, Scott Field Bailey, Jr.; daughter Katherine Ann Brown and her husband Tyler Jay Brown, Jr.; beloved baby grandson, John Field Brown; and innumerous cousins and friends whom she loved dearly. It has been our privilege to love her.
May her soul and the souls of all of the departed rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon them. A private burial will be held soon, and a private memorial service will be live streamed on March 13 at 2 p.m.
Her family would like to thank her caregivers from CareFor and the help given her by Hospice Austin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lou Porter Bailey ‘71 Endowment at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School or PAWS Shelter of Central Texas.
Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, Austin, Texas – (512) 452-8811. Remembrances may be shared at www.wcfish.com.
