Lois E. Mauro, née Paliwoda, 90, of Madison died in the care of Connecticut Hospice on Oct. 5. Her last days were in the company and thoughts of the people whom she loved so well—her husband, Joseph; her children Joe, Jaime, Jason and Jill; her grandchildren Chris, Tracy, Isaac, Phoebe, Noah and Ella; and her beloved children in-law Sue, Mary Beth, Amy, Paul (Lois was pre-deceased by her oldest son John)—people for whom she was a fierce advocate and moral example all of her life.

Lois was a marvel at everything she did, from educating her children, to quilting, to caning chairs. She was a master gardener, a chef who could always conjure “Ratatouille moments,” and a generous, humble advocate for the poor and disenfranchised. Her gentleness, toughness, devotion, and loving patience cannot be conveyed in the few words of an obituary, but those she leaves behind hope that we echo her virtues and commitments as we make our difficult way forward.

A memorial Mass in celebration of Lois’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 at Saint Margaret Church in Madison. Any donations to Connecticut Hospice, Branford, are well deserved.