Catherine Howard Gent

Catherine Howard Gent passed into the loving arms of God on the morning of August 4, 2008, while a resident of Brighton Gardens in Houston, Texas. She was 90 years old. Born to Carrie and Charles Howard of Moody, Texas, Catherine graduated Valedictorian from Moody High School , and then attended Southwestern University in Georgetown. She graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in 1940 with a Bachelor of Journalism degree. She married her high school sweetheart, Christian F. Gent, while he was stationed in Columbia , S.C., and they enjoyed eighteen months exploring the East Coast before Chris was sent to the front. After the war, the couple returned to Texas, where Chris completed his degree at A&M and their children were born. Catherine taught briefly, and then moved frequently as her husband pursued his career in hotel management. While the family was living in Galveston, she became involved with the Girl Scouts and rose to professional status as a trainer of troop leaders. Later, when the Gents settled in Austin, she worked for the Texas Memorial Museum on the UT campus for 17 years. Her later years were spent growing plants in her green house and caring for her animals, two passions she would always treasure. She was an avid reader, and in her last months, she devoured several books a week. Catherine was a member of the Baha'i Faith, and when she first heard about this new religion in 1942, the message of One God, One Religion and One Mankind was an answer to questions about the church she had had since childhood. She remained an active and faithful believer all her life, and was one of the earliest Baha'is in Austin. She wrote a history of the early years of the Baha'i Faith in Austin as well as family memoirs and a genealogical sketch of each branch of the family for her children. Catherine loved to travel, and although her later years prevented her from going far, she and Chris were able to visit several parts of the world before his death in 1994, including annual trips to their beloved Lake City, Colorado. Catherine was a caring friend to many, and when she had to leave her home after 40 years to move into Assisted Living in Austin and then in Houston, she made many lasting friendships. She cared deeply for the environment, all of God's creatures, and her family and friends. She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Serebrenik and husband Peter of Houston; Laura Powell of Austin; grandchildren Zachary Serebrenik and Lauren Serebrenik, both of New York City; brother Dr. Charles H. Howard and wife Lucille of Bryan; nephews Charles Howard III and family; Warren Keith Howard and family; and several cousins and their families. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any remembrance to be sent to the Austin Humane Society or a charity of your choice.