Mary Louise Tatro

Mary Louise Tatro, 89, of Spring, Texas passed away on June 13, 2023.  Mary was born on November 14, 1933, in Dallas, Texas. 

Mary was one of a kind.  She was a diehard Gilmer Buckeyes fan and loved the town of Gilmer, Texas.  Mary adored her family as well as her pets. She liked to fish and watch cardinals as she went about her days. But one of the most distinguishable things about Mary was her contribution to the public-school systems inclusion in their Special Education Department.  Mary fought for the rights of her daughter in the public school system and won in a 6 to 2 vote from the Supreme Court in the 1984 Irving ISD v. Tatro, 468 U.S. 883 ruling for inclusion of children who needed additional aide from the district to be given their education in the public school systems.  This opened the door for other children who needed a little more aide to attend school daily to get the education and inclusion they deserved.  This was a monumental win for parents and children both who until then were denied public school education due to additional aide needed beyond basic education.  Mary started her battle for inclusion in 1979 where she was faced with obstacles and many losses before she made it to the Supreme Court to argue her case in April of 1984.  Finally, after 3 months of court she received the outcome they deserved in July of 1984 that has now paved the way for a public education to include more children in need get their education via the school system.  Mary touched the lives of many people and leaves behind so many memories that will not be forgotten. 

Mary is survived by her daughter, Diann Sarver and husband Rick; son, Paul Ricci and wife Lori; grandchildren, Alicia Hoover and significant other Darrell Willtrout, Tina Hoover, Michael McKesson and wife Jordan McKesson, Lauren Mifflin and husband Brandon; great-grandchildren Isaac Hoover, Tony Davis, Jayden Davis, Bryton Ross, Trinity Doons, Julian McKesson, Brayden Mifflin, Brayli Mifflin and London Mifflin; sisters, Randlyn and husband Charles Holmes and Sarah and husband Gene Allen.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Randy and Lila Maude Sharp; daughters, Tina Louise Ricci and Amber Leigh Tatro; and brother, Benny Sharp.