Dorothy Marie McGee

Dorothy Kelly McGee passed away on the 2nd of August in Houston, Texas, leaving behind a wonderful legacy of faith, selflessness, love and dedication to family that touched and influenced the lives of many. Dorothy, a native of Canton, Ohio, was born on the 13th of June 1931, and is the oldest of three children of the late Joseph and Dorothy (Antony) Kelly.

Dorothy lived a full and complete life that revolved around her extensive family, her faith, her many friends and her varied passions. She was raised in Houston and is a graduate of St. Agnes Academy (1949) and Rice University (BA History, 1953). While at Rice, Dorothy received numerous honors (Outstanding Senior, Elizabeth Baldwin Literary Society Scholar and Blanche White Scholar) and served in a wide variety of student organizations (including Vice President of the Owen Wister Literary Society, Executive Secretary of the Texas Intercollegiate Student Association, Sophomore Class Vice President, Vanity Fair Editor and Secretary of the Newman Club). Dorothy was also a natural beauty and was voted a Rice “Beauty,” a “Favorite” and served in multiple ceremonial roles as a Prom or Ball Princess representing Rice at various functions.

Dorothy’s father passed away shortly after her graduation from Rice, but through that loss she met the love of her life; the young lawyer who probated her father’s will, Hugh Edward McGee, Jr., became her husband of 54 years. Dorothy and Hugh raised five children who in turn produced eighteen grandchildren. Dorothy selflessly dedicated her life to her family. As her children moved through the public school system, Dorothy was an active and guiding presence in their day to day lives, always leading by example to instill in them the Christian values and ideals that she and Hugh shared. At various times, Dorothy served as the President of the Parent Teacher’s Association or equivalent organization at Bunker Hill Elementary, Spring

Branch Junior High School and Memorial High School. Dorothy was also a perennial room mother, booster club chairperson and “team Mom,” in many cases for teams coached by Hugh. She was a constant presence at the myriad sporting events, recitals and other important activities in the lives of her children, grandchildren and husband, always putting their needs before her own.

Dorothy’s selflessness extended beyond her family. A lifelong Roman Catholic and member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church for over 40 years, Dorothy was an active participant in the various ministries at St. Cecilia, where she served as a Sunday school religion teacher, a member of the Altar Society and a member of the St. Cecilia Women’s Club. Dorothy also was a volunteer for many years at the Charity Guild of Catholic Women and the Assistance League of Houston.

Dorothy was a truly remarkable woman with a wide variety of talents and interests. She was an accomplished painter, a shrewd investor and an avid tennis player and golfer. She also thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Hugh and close friends to various parts of Europe and other places. Most importantly, Dorothy was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who always conducted herself with elegance, grace and dignity. She will be truly missed by many. May her memory be eternal!

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Hugh; their five children and their spouses, Lynne Johnson and her husband Brian, Hugh “Skip” McGee and his wife Susie, Richard McGee and his wife Kris, James McGee and his wife Renee, and Jennifer Nash and her husband Noble; her eighteen grandchildren- Patrick (and his wife, Molly), Michael, Kaitlyn and Hannah Johnson; Katie, John Edward and Elizabeth McGee; Hugh Kelly, Eleni, Christina and Charles McGee; Matthew, Nicholas and Timothy McGee; and Kelly, Michelle, Megan and Noble Nash; her brother Joseph Kelly and his wife Pam; her sister-in-law Carmi Sullivan (formerly married to the late James Kelly) and her husband Arthur; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half-past six until half-past eight o'clock in the evening on Sunday, the 8th of August, in the Parlor of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A Memorial Mass will be conducted at half-past two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 9th of August, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc in Houston, where Father Robert T. Scott, C.S.P., will preside, assisted by Deacon Don Bradley.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, memorial donations may be directed to: Charity Guild of Catholic Women, 1206 Lovett Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006 (713-529-0995); Houston Music Teacher’s Association (HMTA), Dorothy Kelly Scholarship Fund, 2656 South Loop West, Suite 120, Houston, TX 77054 (Attention: Wilford E. Glenn. Jr.); and Houston Area Parkinson Society, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Suite 296, Houston, Texas 77098 (713-626-7114).