Mary Frances Marshall

Mary Frances (Haugh) Marshall passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Thursday, September 7, 2017. Mary was born on August 25, 1926 in New York City to Martin and Susan Haugh, both immigrants from County Clare Ireland, and grew up in the Bronx, attending Columbus High School and Hunter College. Mary had a passion and a gift for singing and vocal performance and enjoyed the stage, both in New York and later in Houston as a member of the local Gilbert and Sullivan society. In the late 1950s, Mary joined a friend for a trip to Texas that would soon change the course of her life. She made her way to Houston and the St. Anne Catholic Community, where she met Sabin Marshall, who had recently returned to his native Houston following a European tour of duty with the US Army. Mary and Sabin were married on June 21, 1958 at St Anne’s Church. They eventually settled in the Meyerland area of southwest Houston, where they raised their family and were founding members of St. Thomas More Parish, where they attended for more than fifty years. A devout Catholic, Mary was a member of the Apostleship of the Cross and embodied Christ’s example of service to others by volunteering as counselor to expectant mothers at Birthright for many years, taking communion to the sick and elderly of the parish, and serving on the bereavement committee.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Martin and Susan Haugh, and brothers in law, Ralph Marshall and Frank Goban. She is survived by her loving husband of fifty nine years, Sabin, sister Mildred Goban, children and spouses David (Marlene), Brian (Rachel), and Darin (Kristen) Marshall, Madeleine Ellard (Jeffrey), grandchildren Chris, Henry, Brendan, and Lillian Marshall, Elaine and Emily Ellard, and many nieces and nephews. The family is greatly indebted to and wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Autumn Leaves of Meyerland, especially Dorothy Jackson, Shyca Phillips, and Andria Jones, for their selfless and compassionate care of Mary during her struggle with dementia. They truly helped us to make the best of her final years and allowed Mary to live in comfort and dignity when she was no longer able to live at home. A visitation and rosary will be on held Monday, September 11 at 7:00 pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 10333 Hillcroft Ave., Houston, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 12 at 10 am, also at St. Thomas More, followed by a reception at the church. Interment will follow at 3 pm at Forest Park Lawndale. For those desiring, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to Catholic Charities.