By: Jan Lougeay, MS, CCC-SLP, Publications Chair

Longtime Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) member Mary Irene Burtis passed away on November 9, 2022, in Edmond, Oklahoma, surrounded by her loving family after a long courageous battle with cancer. Born in 1943 in Cameron, Texas, Mary Irene was the daughter of Hilda Kuzel-Burtis and John Burtis, and she grew up with her younger sister, Marguerite Burtis, on the family farm in Buckholts, Texas.

After completing her bachelor and master of science degrees in speech pathology from East Texas State University in Commerce (now Texas A&M at Commerce), she began her lifetime career as a speech-language pathologist in public schools in Texas City, Texas, and later in other Texas public school districts in McAllen, San Antonio, Paris, and Dallas.

Mary Irene joined her sister, Marguerite, as a speech-language pathologist in private practice in 1986. Their private practice, known as the Burtis Speech-Language Center, changed its name to the Burtis and Noel Speech-Language Center, Inc., in 1995, when their friend and fellow speech-language pathologist, Julie Noel, joined the practice. Mary Irene was beloved by her patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Always an enthusiastic supporter of TSHA, Mary Irene chaired and served on many committees and task forces and was honored with the TSHA Award of Honor in 2003 for her dedication and leadership. Mary Irene was also a Fellow of the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (TSHF), which supports research, education, and service endeavors to improve the lives of people with communication disorders.

Mary Irene was a devoted loving mother, sister, and aunt, a fiercely loyal friend, and a supportive, encouraging business partner. She loved rhythm and blues, rock and roll, country and western music, kolaches, fashion magazines, the Czech culture, reading about the British royal family, and discussing politics. She was active in the Texas Democratic Party and Dallas County Democratic Committee, attended many state meetings, and served as an election judge in many elections.

Contributions in her honor may be made to the TSHF Burtis-Vogel-Elkins Community Service Fund at www.tshfoundation.org.