Mary Ann McElreath

Mary Ann McElreath, 87, of Houston, TX died January 16, 2024, after a mercifully brief illness.

Mary Ann was born in Sioux City, Iowa on June 26, 1936 to Ralph and Mabel McMurphy.  She grew up in Sioux City, lived in California and South Dakota before moving to and settling in Houston, TX in 1966.  There she met and married the love of her life, Bert (Jon Bert) McElreath; they were married for 30 years before his untimely death in 1997.  They loved to golf, travel, and entertain, and were active together in their faith.

Mary Ann lived a rich, full life, earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston while raising a family and giving freely of her time and considerable talents to many causes. Over the years she actively volunteered her energies toward literacy for adults, Stephen Ministry, the altar guild at church, the USO, and Habitat to Humanity, to name a few.  She traveled all over, especially on cruises, was an avid reader, a wicked crossword puzzler, a shrewd investor, considered chocolate and coffee to be their own food groups, and loved to cross-stitch, crochet, and needlepoint; she delighted in creating personalized stitcheries for those she loved.  She had piercing blue, almost turquoise, eyes and a million-watt smile that was almost matched by her stylish flair.

More than anything, Mary Ann loved her family and friends and reveled in their company and their unique gifts.  Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband Bert, beloved sister Joyce, and her parents.  She is survived by her daughter Julia, son-in-law Anthony, grandchildren Malina (Chris), Karina (Brady), and Michael, and great-grandchildren Carter, Collins, and Beckett.  She is survived on the McMurphy side by her devoted niece and nephews Barb (Jerry), Steve, and Bill (Teresa), and by grand-nephew Christopher.  On the McElreath side, she is survived by brother-in-law Mark (Bert), nieces Sara (George), Cheryl (John), Martha (Brian), Hilary (Brian), Holly (Bryan), and Amy; nephews Greg, Todd (Laurie-Anne), Scott (Alissa), and so very many grand nieces and nephews, each of whom she loved deeply.

A Celebration of Mary Ann’s life will be held at Ascension Episcopal Church in Houston, TX on April 6, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. The service will be live-streamed for those who may wish to attend virtually.  As Mary Ann was very, very allergic to flowers, donations in lieu of flowers would be most appreciated, to the USO, Habitat for Humanity, Ascension Episcopal Church, the University of Houston, or Rice University.

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