Madeleine Fernande Houze

Madeleine Fernande Seguin Houze died peacefully on March 30, 2019 at the age of 92 having spent the day with her family. She is survived by her daughters, Joelle Marie-Jose Houze, Carolena May Houze Schuette (David Max) and her son, John Henry Houze, III; seven grandchildren, Selina Nicol Kane (Elric Dorian), Catherine Madeleine Herring (Bradley Michael Shoup), Aurora Celeste Brinsfield Boyd (Kelly Richard), Carolena “Callie” Caywood Schuette McClelland (Albert Kirk, Jr.), Anastasia Madeleine Houze, Gabrielle Alexandra Houze and David Max Schuette, Jr.; and six great grand-children, Dashiell Griffin Kane, Keaton Montgomery Kane, Astrid Dahlia Boyd, Leo Emerson Boyd, Henry Jubilation Herring Shoup and Paul Discovery Herring Shoup. She is also survived by her sister, Aline Eglantine Rosemonde Seguin. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Henry Houze, Jr., her father, Fernand Pierre Ernest Seguin, her mother, Lucienne Charlotte Clemence Gilles, her sister, Germaine Salome Lucie Besançon Claudin, her brother Lucien Fernand Ernest Alain Seguin and her sister Raymonde Josephine Helene Besançon Stoliaroff.

Madeleine was a remarkable woman. Born in the small town of Sorcy St. Martin, France she grew up in Deneuvre near Baccarat, between two world wars. She often recounted the many happy days of childhood she experienced there until France was invaded by Germany. She and her family endured great hardship during the years of war, including bombings, near starvation, her brother taken as conscripted labor to Germany, their home occupied by three separate armies, the loss of countless friends. The end of the war brought peace and a devastated country. Madeleine and her husband Jose Louis Henri de Restrepo decided that with their daughter Joelle, they would move to where his grandfather had been Governor of Antiochia to start anew. She led the way, bravely embarking on a steam ship bound for Bogota to a position with the French Embassy in a country where she knew no one and barely spoke the language. The years in Colombia were mixed as she thrived at her work, became fluent in Spanish and hosted her own radio show, but her marriage floundered and failed. Then one enchanted day, she met John Henry Houze, Jr., a handsome American businessman who would be her unparalleled friend and beloved husband for almost 40 years.

They led a wonderful life together, learning each other’s languages, living and making friends in places as varied as San Francisco, Mexico City, Greenwich, France, Switzerland, Dallas and, finally, Henry’s old hometown of Houston. Possessed of a lively curiosity, a sense of adventure, deep historical interest and appreciation for expert craftsmanship, and all beautiful things they traveled extensively throughout the world, often with their children, visiting museums, churches, castles, ancient ruins, historical sites, intriguing landscapes as well as antique dealers, rug merchants, fine porcelain and crystal artisans, and textile weavers, seeking that special and meaningful treasure.

From a young age, Madeleine was extremely generous with her time and energy. At the tender age of seven she was awarded a medal in recognition for her bravery in risking her life to save her friend from drowning. During World War II she devoted herself at the Red Cross hospital, caring for wounded French and American soldiers. Later she volunteered with the French American Children’s Hospital in New York City and gave her time as a French teacher at the YWCA and the Alliance Française in Greenwich. She was kind and thoughtful to those whom she encountered, and gave generously to charitable causes, especially those benefiting children in need of medical attention and the arts. In recognition of her lifelong charitable acts she was inducted as a Dame of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. She belonged to the Chapultepec Club in Mexico City, was a member of the French American Wives in New York City and was also a proud honorary member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and First Families of Georgia.

Madeleine was possessed of an energy that could fill a room and a valiant character, a lively and curious mind and a multitude of interests. She had exquisite taste and her home was filled with the beautiful things she and her beloved Henry had collected in the many places they had lived and traveled. Each thing she owned held a special memory and brought with it a story she would relish telling. She was fascinated with the stock market and proved to be a thoughtful and adept investor. She loved the written word, from crossword puzzles to the long well-articulated, deeply emotional and often moving letters she was known to write. Madeleine was a marvelous chef and loved to set an elegant table. She had a lifelong devotion to her good health, eating small portions of wholesome, nutritious foods, including probiotics and juicing long before it was popular. She enjoyed physical activity, especially working in her garden, and above all, wherever she was, she loved to walk: the countryside of France, cross country skiing in the mountains of Switzerland, and the various neighborhoods where she lived.

After the loss of her husband, Madeleine spent time in France before settling in Austin, Texas. She embraced her new home, joining Onion Creek Country Club and became a dedicated member of the bridge group. An avid bridge player, she took it seriously, venturing into Duplicate Bridge tournaments where she often did well with her able partners. Madeleine was also an active member of the Newcomers of Austin and the French Group where she made good friends. Madeleine deeply loved and was devoted to her faith, husband, family, and friends. She was known to always think of and help those in need, especially a family member or friend. A common refrain from friends following Madeleine’s passing was that she was one of the most gracious and elegant women they had ever known.

The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Robinson Creek Hospice and to all of Madeleine’s devoted care providers with special appreciation for the exceptional loving care of Lucia, Maria, Lulu, Anastasia and Chad. Madeleine’s cremated remains will be buried alongside her husband at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in her memory to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, KLRU or a charity of their choice.