Tributes

Mary Loretta Conner Zuschlag, 84, passed away peacefully at her home on April 26. Born on September 13, 1941 to Ward Conner and Augusta (Gussie) Benke Conner, Mary grew up in San Antonio and attended Incarnate Word for her primary and secondary education. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a B.A. in History and, perhaps more significantly, met the love of her life, a charming architecture student and San Antonio native named Kenneth Zuschlag. They married on August 22, 1964, and enjoyed almost 62 years of marriage. After giving birth to their son, Greg, Mary began a 35-year career (1967-2002) as an innovative educator in Alamo Heights High School’s Social Studies Department, chairing the department for 17 years. While teaching she earned an M.A. in Education from Trinity University. Among her many accolades, she received Trinity University’s prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award in 1993 and served as the founding coach of Academic Decathlon, which excelled in competition. For many years she added Vice Principal to her responsibilities until she retired in 2002. Mary also was involved in community activities, serving on the board of the Assistance League and volunteering with Friends of Hospice. She and Ken were members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church and later St. Anthony de Padua, where Mary served as a lector. She loved playing bridge with her Chi Omega sisters, reading spy thriller novels, acing crosswords, playing mahjong, and scrutinizing British detective shows. But most of all she loved Ken and Greg, who both survive her, and her beloved grandsons, Jared (19) and Gabriel Zuschlag (17). Mary’s family is grateful for the exceptional care offered by Suncrest Hospice and Amada Senior Services in her final weeks at home. A memorial mass will be held at St. Anthony de Padua on May 14 at 1 pm., followed by a reception in the parish hall. Mary will be remembered for her love of her husband, son, and grandsons, and for her devotion to students and their potential, for her moral outlook, and for her creativity as a long-serving teacher. “Mrs. Z” spurred her students not only to academic excellence but also to the pursuit of social justice and the common good. Students spanning two or more generations were encouraged to think critically – to analyze information before accepting it. One student wrote that she had been “one of the most influential people in my life.” Her memory shall endure through the lives of her students, colleagues and family.

Tributes

Mary Loretta Conner Zuschlag

September 13, 1941 - April 26, 2026