Helena Houston

Helena Teresa Rogers “Rog” Houston, 88, was called to Heaven Dec 29, 2014. A Rosary will be prayed Saturday, Jan 24, 11 a.m. followed by visitation at 11:30 a.m. and a Memorial Mass at 12:30p.m. at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes. Rog was named after her mother and great aunt. She was baptized immediately at the hospital. This young blonde spent her youth at St Aloysius, singing, dancing and painting, preparing for her future as a nun or a movie star or an airline hostess. Helena graduated from St Aloysius High School, attended KCU (UMKC) and was voted Homecoming Queen. After studying Spanish and Finance in college, she worked her way from TWA office staff to her dream job as a stewardess. She found her passion as a flight attendant with Mid-Continent/Braniff until she married LT Jim Houston, an Air Force B-29 Navigator who flew 33 missions in Guam. Jim and Rog moved 13 times in 9 years, from assignment to assignment, coast to coast. After Jim’s military duty, the family settled in Kansas City, MO. They lived in St. Peter’s Catholic Parish through the children’s grade school and moved to Bridlespur, attending St Thomas More Catholic Church. They were married 60 years. She was a loving daughter, sister, devoted wife, mother and grandmother who defined kindness. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Houston, and daughter, Dr Monica Houston-Dittmer, her siblings, Charlie Rogers, Virginia Keeney, Margie Fahey and Richard Rogers. She is survived by her loving children, COL Jamie Houston (Emine), Maura Houston (Jim Rennell), Briana Chaney (Ralph), four wonderful grandchildren; Kelly and Jeffrey Dittmer, Donovan and Deniz Houston, and a great grandchild, Sienna. She will be missed by Fahey, Rogers, Keeney, VonTellrop, Kukuruza nieces and nephews who gave her great joy. Helena was a member of Ladies of Charity, Clipped Bee’s (former Braniff Hostesses), active in politics, studied art and painting, a stock market whiz, a Tap Dancer extraordinaire and as her devoted husband, Jim, would say, always the prettiest girl in the room. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Seton Center, 2816 E 23rd St, KCMO, or the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Arrangements, McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO, 64145.