Mario Francis Quirós

Mario Francis Quirós was born on July 11, 1951, in Baptist Hospital, now known as Rapides Regional Medical Center, to Wilhelmena Wise Quirós (later Dr. Quiros, then Dr. Wise), daughter of Lovenia Moreau Wise (Mama Wise) and Dr. W. L Wise, Sr., and Hernan (Herman) Mario Quirós Sanabria (Papa), son of José María Quirós Masís and Lucia Sanabria Martínez de Quirós. He spent approximately the first seven years of his life in the Galbraith area on lower Cane River in southern Natchitoches Parish in the loving care of Mama Wise and his maternal aunt, Juanita Wise Lynn (Aunt Neet), while his parents completed their education. Then he joined his parents and his younger brother, Antonio José Quirós, when his parents opened the Children’s Clinic on Highway 1 South in Natchitoches. This is when he first met longtime nanny/housekeeper Pearlie Mae Odom, later Condet, with whom he would have a long and very special relationship. The family would go to lower Cane River after church most Sundays to see Mama Wise and Aunt Neet, Uncle George Lynn, Uncle Gary and Aunt Geraldine Wise, and our cousins, Gary Jr., Jackie and Rodney, now Dr. Wise, for mid-day dinner and enjoyable afternoons. Some Sundays we would go up the road to see Uncle W.L. and Aunt Thelma Wise and our cousins Jo Ann and Edna, now Dr. Mcleod. Mario spent many weekends and one month every summer in the country with Mama Wise and Aunt Neet. During this time he attended the Natchitoches Association for Retarded Children day school on the campus of W. L. Parks Elementary in west Natchitoches. Later he attended the day school for adults at the Natchitoches Association for Retarded Citizens, now known as Natchitoches ARC, at their current location on Airport Road. He enjoyed spending time with his classmates and teachers, sipping coffee, shredding paper and receiving small checks as one of the paid services offered to the community at the time. He talked fondly and often of staff member Ms. Gracie Roberson, now deceased, and the long-time director, Mrs. Mary Ann King, who first introduced him to Special Olympics, where he won his most prized possessions – his medals – from competing in the regional games at Northwestern, the state games in Baton Rouge or New Orleans, and once in the International Games that were in Minnesota that year. Walker, Texas Ranger was his favorite television show, which he watched during its entire run, then he watched the re-runs in syndication as well as video cassette tapes of shows. He would imitate Chuck Norris’ chops and kicks and even had a large poster on his wall of himself in a domo like Chuck’s. He looked fantastic! He also enjoyed lifting weights at Guidroz Physical Therapy, and he basked in the attention he got there from the staff and patrons. Some of his most joyful moments were spent traveling out West in a camper with Aunt Neet, Uncle George Lynn and his first cousin, Melissa Lynn, who later became his doctor after his mother passed away. He also loved going on vacations with his mother and her second husband, Russell Cook, Sr., and all his new brothers and sisters to the West Coast and to the Caribbean. After Russell passed away, he became his mother’s traveling companion and he cherished visits to his nephew, Zachary Quiros, and Zachary’s parents, Antonio and Renee (now Gresham) in Houston, and especially while they lived in England, from where they all traveled together to London and Paris. Other treasured moments included attending with his mother football games, symphony concerts and musicals at Northwestern, making rounds with her at the hospital, working at her office with his sister Mitzi Sisson and opening the extra-large Snickers bars she gave him, going to drink coffee with Papa, hanging out at home with his best friend Pearlie Mae, and watching his gurgling fountain for way too long. He returned to lower Cane River when his mother passed away to live with Aunt Neet and Uncle George. By then their travels out West were in a motorhome. They especially loved Yellowstone National Park and the Jackson Hole, Wyoming area, which they visited many times. After Uncle George passed away and Aunt Neet could no longer physically care for him out in the country, she found a great care facility very near Melissa’s house in Shreveport, The Oaks of Louisiana, where he lived until now. She also found the perfect sitters, Lola Foster and Regina Anderson, to sit with him so he wouldn’t be alone on the days she could not be there. After the pandemic, Letha King replaced Ms. Foster. At 8:30 pm on Saturday, May 1, 2021, Christ commanded his angels to come for his long-suffering child and bring him home to glory. Mario was predeceased by his grandparents, his parents, his maternal and paternal aunts and uncles, first cousin Jo Ann Wise, Ph.D. and nephew Austin Broussard. He is survived by his siblings Antonio Quiros, Cindy Cook Smith and husband Ed, Mitzi Cook Sisson and husband Russell, Marty Cook Broussard, Russell Cook, Jr., Ray Cook, nieces and nephews Zachary Quiros, Chasity Sisson Warford, Mackenzie Smith Ledet and husband Stephen, Cameron Smith, Keaton Smith, great niece/nephews Madison Sisson, Taylor Broussard, Ganen Fallon and Milo Cardenas, and all of his maternal and paternal first cousins and spouses and their children, and many friends and other family who loved Mario deeply. Mario was a lover of life, a collector of hats, an admirer of flowing water, a dedicated coffee drinker, more for the camaraderie than the coffee, a devoted brother, a cheerful uncle, a beloved son, grandson, nephew and cousin. Mario will be remembered by all as a happy person with a huge smile on his face and with an always present sense of humor and a gentle soul. He never met a stranger and liked everyone. A rosary was said in thanksgiving for Mario’s life at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 7 pm, Father John Cunningham officiated. A celebration of Mario’s life was presided over by Brother Tommy Rush at Wise Memorial Baptist Church in Galbraith on a beautiful Saturday, May 15, 2021, and Mario was interred in the cemetery there between his mother and Mama Wise. The family would like to thank the staff of the West Wing of the Health Center at The Oaks of Louisiana, and his sitters for taking such good loving care of Mario for us. And even though Dr. Lynn is among “the family”, thanks must be expressed here for her medical care and loving attention to Mario after his mother passed away. In lieu of any flower intentions, donations in any size may be sent in Mario’s name to the Natchitoches ARC at 127 Airport Rd.