Mary Ann Binig

Mary Ann Binig, loving and devoted Wife, Mother and Grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 6, 2015 in Pearland, Texas. She was 85. Born to Cecil and Stella T. Combs in St. Louis, Missouri, Mary Ann attended Little Flower School and St. Joseph's Academy where she was crowned May Queen as a Senior. St. Louis was also where she met the love of her life, Thomas J. Binig, and married him on September 2, 1950. They were blessed with the birth of their first child, Mary Christine in 1951. After Tom's graduation from the University of Arkansas law school, Mary Ann and Tom moved to Houston, Texas where they settled, raising a family of six children and becoming life-long members of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish. Throughout her life, Mary Ann was active in Civics, her Church, and most importantly, her children's lives. She was a kind and compassionate person, and a true role model always giving of herself and serving others.

Mary Ann was a Girl Scout leader for nearly two decades, a Red Cross volunteer and swimming instructor, the first woman to serve on the City Council for the City of West University Place (and first female Mayor Pro Tem), active in the Republican Women of Texas, a member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, and volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Church in numerous ways including the Altar Society, the Parish Council, and as a Eucharistic Minister and in 1999 was honored by the parish with the annual Legacy of Excellence Award. When free to work, Mary Ann served at the Red Cross Houston Headquarters, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, and Methodist Hospital helping communities to organize blood drives.

Mary Ann's days as a parent were filled with supporting her children's softball and baseball games, swim meets, school functions and more. As grandparents, she and Tom spent many hours playing with and caring for their 12 grandchildren. Mary Ann loved the coast and spent much time at the family beach house in Surfside, Texas with her husband of 62 years prior to his death in July of 2013. She truly was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

She is predeceased by her loving husband, Tom, and daughter, Christy; she is survived by her daughters, Cece Binig McCann, Martha Binig Drake and husband Buddy, Liz Binig Brooks with husband Mike, Toni Binig Shepherd and husband Keith and her only son, Tom G. Binig with wife Suan, and her twelve grandchildren, Courtney, Nicholas, Lauren and Matt Shepherd; Jon Michael, Forrest and Caroline Brooks; Macey, Ford and Marshall McCann; and Thomas and Tatum Binig.

The celebration of Mary Ann's life will begin with visitation services on Thursday, March 19th at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale, Houston, TX from 5-8pm. A Rosary will begin at 7pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, March 20, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX. Gravesite services to follow at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale, Houston TX where Mary Ann will be interred together with the cremated remains of her husband, Tom.