Louise Marie Antoinette Beaudry Anzalone was born on April 28, 1935 in Worcester, MA to Peggy and Paul Beaudry. The family later relocated to Stamford, CT, where Louise attended Sacred Heart Academy, a women’s college preparatory high school. Upon graduation, Louise began her higher education in New York City, attending the Juilliard summer program in voice. In the fall of 1953, she began her studies at Emerson College in Boston, MA, where Louise majored in English while earning leading roles in many of the drama department’s theatrical productions.
In 1956, Louise married William Anzalone of Brooklyn, NY, an architecture student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The couple had their only child Toni, in June of 1957. In pursuit of better opportunity, the young family moved to Houston, TX. in 1959. Louise worked as a bookkeeper for Aylin Advertising until 1964, while Bill began his partnership with the Meredith Long Gallery and later a teaching position in the Art Department at the University of Houston.
In 1964, Louise began working as a volunteer for the Girl Scouts of the San Jacinto Council, where she spent 13 years as a troop leader and one summer as a camp counselor. In addition to being a skilled organizer with many creative ideas, Louise loved working with young people, employing her tremendous energy and great sense of humor in all activities.
Louise was hired by the Girl Scouts of America as a professional advisor for Girl Scout troop leaders in Houston and the surrounding areas in 1977. During this time, Louise also returned to college to complete her degree. In 1981, Louise received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Houston.
Louise left scouting to pursue her interest in organic gardening in the hill country of Texas. In 1983, Louise and Bill purchased property in Round Top, where Louise worked to help restore and modernize their 100 year old farmhouse, prepare her organic garden, and become involved in the local community. During this time, Louise was hired by the Texas Pioneer Arts Foundation to coordinate the establishment of Henkel Square Museum Village in Round Top, which she did.
In 1990, Louise became the 32nd state certified organic gardener in the State of Texas, marketing her produce to Whole Foods Market in both Austin and Houston. She was a member of the Pioneer Unit of the Herb Society of America, helping to establish and maintain the gardens at Festival Hill and Winedale. Louise also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Shakespeare at Winedale. And, she volunteered her time at the Round Top Family Library, where she enjoyed reading stories to local children.
A very active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Louise was one of the first women elected to serve on the Church Council. She preached when the pastor was absent, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, assisted with Vacation Bible School, visited shut-ins and hospitalized church members, and she coordinated the annual Women’s Service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. In addition, Louise helped to establish and promote the re-cycling program in Fayette County by working through the churches, emphasizing the necessity to preserve and protect the environment as responsible stewards of His creation.
Despite all of her other accomplishments, Louise Anzalone may be best known and remembered as the Round Top correspondent for both the Fayette County Record and the Brenham Banner-Press newspapers, covering all of the local community news and events, including reviews of concerts, plays and other performances.
Louise is survived by her husband William Anzalone of Round Top, TX; her daughter Toni Anzalone and Richard Atlas Bottfeld of Fayetteville, TX; her grandsons Matthew Anzalone Zirker of Greensboro, NC and Christopher Anzalone Zirker and wife Catherine Anderson Zirker of Englewood, CO; and her great grandson Tristan Andrew Zirker of Englewood, CO. Louise was laid to rest in a private graveside service on June 10, 2012. Those wishing to remember Louise Anzalone may contribute in her memory to the Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival, P. O. Box 314, Round Top, Texas 78954 or www.fayettevillemusic.org.