Louise Vajda

Louise M. Vajda Louise Margaret Mastaglio was born on April 30, 1923, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of four children born to Hugo and Mary Mastaglio, who immigrated here from Germany. From an early age, Louise's life was music. She played the cello and sang coloratura soprano. The height of her singing career was performing as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the age of 18. In 1943, Louise moved to St. Louis to sing in KFUO Radio's Lutheran Hour Choir and write continuity for the station. It was at a Concordia Seminary choir concert that she spied a tall, handsome tenor with an unpronounceable name. In June of 1945, Jaroslav and Louise wed, and thus began a partnership that would marry worship, words, and music for 63 years. Louise was always creating. She was known for the hundreds of Christmas cookies and pizzelles she baked and shared every year. In her 60s, her love of sewing led her to quilting. When Jaroslav began writing hymns, she became his sounding board, calling herself the "person in the pew." In her 90s, she learned the craft of screenwriting and co-wrote two screenplays based on her experiences growing up as the daughter of German immigrants during the Depression. Louise considered her family her greatest blessing. She was devoted to her children, Susan (Hank), Jeremy (Paula), Timothy (Yupa), and Deborah. She was the proud grandmother of Daniel (Dionna), Joel (Heather), Jonathan (Erin), Rachel (John), Andrea (Brent), and August, and the proud great-grandmother of Gramm, Sam, Brynn, Elsa, Camille, Otto, Mary Louise, Vivian, and twin brothers Carson and Dustin. Those who knew Louise were moved by her selflessness and sacrifice. In her role as a pastor's wife and as a 30-year survivor of breast cancer, Louise provided empathy, support, and comfort to anyone who needed it. She was so approachable that strangers in waiting rooms and grocery-store check-out lines would strike up conversations and soon be confiding their troubles. Toward the end of her life, Louise was always cold. When you'd walk in the door to visit, she'd burst into a big smile, hug you, and take your hands in hers. "Oh," she'd say. "You're so warm." May we return the compliment. Memorials to LSS Hospice or Habitat Memorial Visitation Saturday January 5, 2019
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Laclede Groves Chapel
723 S. Laclede Station Road Webster Groves, Missouri 63119
Memorial Service Saturday January 5, 2019
11:00 am -
Laclede Groves Chapel
723 S. Laclede Station Road Webster Groves, Missouri 63119