Georgiana Szarkowski Childs

Georgiana graduated from Northland College with a BA in English, and moved to Washington, D.C. in the early 1940s to assist in the War effort.

In 1943, she married Captain William L. (Bill) Childs, Jr. in D.C., a union that lasted 38 years until Bill’s death and produced seven children and 11 grandchildren. Following the War, they moved to Bill’s hometown of Houston.

Georgiana was keenly interested in local, state and national politics. She and Bill were delegates to a state Republican convention, worked for Bob Lanier’s successful mayoral race, and were involved in a campaign to save River Oaks Elementary School from closing in the late 60s. Georgiana served as foreman on the Grand Jury of Harris County’s 208th District Court in 1981, and was a poll worker in her district for many years.

A member of St. Anne Catholic Church since 1953, Georgiana sang in the choir and was a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Guild and Altar Society. She was chosen from her diocese to be in the “500 Voice Choir” that sang for Pope John Paul II in San Antonio in September of 1987.

Georgiana was a headliner of Houston Power Squadron’s annual Girl’s Show, a member of the Houston Chorale, a docent at Bayou Bend, and a Girl Scout leader. Always a student, she attended lectures and classes on many topics that were of interest to her.

Georgiana was a prolific correspondent and an avid reader throughout her life. She belonged to several book clubs and was a volunteer reader at Taping for the Blind (now Sight into Sound). When her eyesight began to fail in 2000, she continued to ‘read’ via audio books provided primarily by the Texas State Library’s Talking Book Program.

Georgiana is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Mary Szarkowski Green (Denver), and her brother John Szarkowski (New York).

She is survived by her children: Charlsie Childs; Wm. L. (Bert) Childs, III and wife Susan; Phyllis Childs; Jan Childs Duncan and husband Robert Heberton; John Henry Childs and wife Katy; Anne Childs Dillon and husband Tom; Carl Robert Childs and wife Noemi. Grandchildren Lauren Borg, Rebecca Childs, William Duncan, Georgiana Cecil, Rose Dillon, Bill Childs, Morgan Childs, Eleanor Davidson, Madeline Childs, Martin Dillon and Sarah Childs. Brother-in-law Robert Green. Nieces Julie Rager, Roberta Foss, Nina Jones and Natasha Brown. Nephews Carl Detering and Will Detering.

Georgiana’s family extends very special thanks to the staffs at Colonial Oaks Braeswood, The Gardens of Bellaire, and New Century Hospice and for their great affection, kindness and respect during her last years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Northland College, St. Joseph’s Indian School, or Sight into Sound.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a Vigil Service 7:00 PM at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 1:30 PM, Thursday, April 10, 2014 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Rd. The Rite of Committal will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.

Near the end of his life, our father said, “I wonder if you kids realize what an extraordinary woman your mother is.”

Childs