Marianne L. Andrews

Marianne was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and moved with her parents, Helen Moore and Ralph Albert Lowenfield, to El Paso, Texas, where she grew up.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 70 years, Stafford Elmore Andrews (95), and their five children; 11 grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Marianne loved her hometown of El Paso. In December of 1949, Marianne was crowned Southwestern Sun Carnival Queen. Her dress designed by Christian Dior for her coronation, the white Stetson presented to her during halftime at the Sun Bowl game, and the responsibilities as queen left an indelible print of joy on her heart. She loved her family, the twinkling lights of El Paso at sunset, eating Cris’s homemade rolls, dancing on her daddy’s shoes, the Gab Gab group, the green team, Rim Road and her blue Chrysler Convertible to name just a few. Marianne’s earliest memory was when she was four years old and in kindergarten at her beloved Radford School for Girls in El Paso where, as she says, she spent 12 glorious years. She began her love for theater in first grade at Radford which culminated with a Masters in theater from Catholic University.

Marianne attended Mount Holyoke College where every semester she was involved with a theater production. She loved acting, directing, producing, writing, editing, as well as lights and scenery. Marianne was the only Texan at Mount Holyoke at the time and quickly gained the nickname of “Tex” before catching the eye of her future husband, Stafford. Marianne met the love of her life second semester of her sophomore year. He was an Amherst College gentleman who wooed her with cooking her steaks in the living room fireplace of his fraternity house. Marianne accepted Stafford’s pin in her senior year before heading to graduate school. While at Catholic University, Marianne was asked to be the stage manager at the Olney Summer Theater. It was there, during intermission, Stafford asked her to marry him.

Marianne and Stafford were married in El Paso and began their life together in Charlottesville, Virginia. There she loved teaching theater and speech classes at St. Anne’s School. Stafford helped her in his spare time constructing scenery sets for the plays Marianne directed there. It was in Charlottesville they started their family with their first son, Ford, before moving to Houston where Stafford joined Andrews and Kurth. It was in Houston that Mark, Marianne, Kelly and Catherine were born. Marianne loved being a mother and enjoyed nothing more than being with her husband and children. They were her pride and joy.

Marianne’s love for horses never wavered. She was an accomplished equestrian who learned to ride western with her great grandmother on the family farm, Twin Wells. Marianne was only 16 when she graduated from high school thus attended House in the Pines in Massachusetts for a year. There she traded her blue jeans and Western saddle for a jumping habit and English saddle and enjoyed the hunter and jumper ring competing at House of Pines and then at Mount Holyoke College. A passionate horsewoman, Marianne jumped for her college team. This love of horses stayed with her throughout her life, finding its home in the mountains of New Mexico, where she spent every summer of her childhood and then with her children and later grandchildren.

Marianne cherished Cloudcroft, New Mexico, with a love that spanned generations. Horseback riding and picnics to hidden waterfalls were a ritual. Technology took a backseat in Cloudcroft so summers were marked by charades, playing games, reading books and running from bears. White Sands National Park provided a backdrop for family escapades and majestic sunsets. Her love affair with Cloudcroft extended beyond its mountains to include the cherished havens of Camp Mary White, Carrie’s Ranch Camp, Sunspot, and Three Rivers.

Marianne was a member of St. Michael’s the Archangel Catholic Church. Throughout her life, when spending summers in Cloudcroft, she attended Sacred Heart Mission Catholic Church. The walk to this little church in the mountains was one of her favorites. Her dedication to her faith was a guiding force throughout her life, shaping her values, and instilling in her a profound sense of compassion and kindness. Her commitment to her spiritual principles and the peace it gave her was evident in the way she lived her life, leaving a lasting impact on all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Marianne leaves behind a legacy of service. Marianne was a member of the Junior League of Houston where she immensely enjoyed acting and directing Children’s Theater for 25 plus years. Through this, she introduced live theater to every 4th grader in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Marianne was a dedicated advocate for education, playing a pivotal role in the development of Volunteers in Public School for HISD. She loved volunteering in early childhood education programs ensuring school readiness of preschool-aged children. Her dedication to community and the belief in the transformative power of service resonates in the hearts of her children, who are forever grateful for this invaluable gift.

Marianne is preceded in death by her parents Helen and Ralph Lowenfield; and her siblings, Wallace “Buddy” Lowenfield, Ralph “Punko” Lowenfield and Helen “Tilly” Chandler. Marianne was not only a lover of literature but a fervent believer in the power of books to shape minds. Her voracious reading habit became a gift she passed on to each of her children. She is survived by her children, Ford, Mark, Marianne, Kelly and Catherine and their wonderful and supportive spouses. She loved all 11 of her grandchildren as well as her three great-grandchildren. Even though your “Gram” can no longer hold you in her arms, you are in her heart forever. She was proud of each one of you.

The family is forever grateful for the loving care provided by Homewatch CareGivers Galleria, most notably, Leticia, Anne, Yvonne, Shellie, Justina and Florence. You made Mrs. Andrews very happy and comfortable. To the neighborhood children who visited Marianne long after you were grown. Thank you for the return fireside chats and remember to follow your true north no matter what the compass says.

“Vaya con Dios” as Marianne would say…”until we meet again. Goodbye my precious husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Goodbye Lincoln Logs, George Tally’s horse pack trips, script readings, Sugar Hill, Miller Outdoor Theater, Alley Theater, Cloudcroft sunsets, rides in Stafford’s convertibles and my favorite reading chair.”

The family will gather for a private celebration on Marianne’s beloved mountain.

Please visit Mrs. Andrews’ online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.