Michelle Carter McStravick

Michelle Carter McStravick, loving mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend departed this world on May 6, 2025 and joined her beloved Father, Robert Lee “Bobby” Carter, Jr., in the heavenly embrace of Our Lord. She passed away at her home in Houston surrounded by her family who loved her dearly.

Michelle was born in Houston, Texas on June 9, 1972, to Robert and his wife, Cynthia Sander Carter Frankart. Michelle grew up in Friendswood, Texas, attending Friendswood Public Schools and spending many hours working at her parents’ paint store.

After graduating from Friendswood High School in 1990, Michelle continued her education at Texas A&M University to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an architect. She would fondly remember the sleepless nights she spent in the Architecture Building working on projects with her fellow students. At A&M, she would meet many lifelong friends both in and out of the Architecture Department as well as her husband of 26 years, Michael McStravick.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Michelle would join Merriman Holt Powell Architects and embark on a thirty year career at the firm specializing in religious architecture. There she found two outstanding mentors in Dan Holt and Bill Merriman who shaped and guided her through the intricacies of the profession. At Merriman Holt Powell Michelle found more lifelong friends who enhanced her life and would always eagerly anticipate the firm Christmas Parties as a time of great fun and fellowship. As time passed, Michelle would herself become a mentor to young architects guiding them with her acquired knowledge and wisdom. Examples of her of work abound throughout the city of Houston as well as dotting various parts of the United States and stand as her professional legacy. Michelle loved her profession and worked until the last weeks of her life, only stopping when the ravages of cancer became too great and her body would no longer obey her commands.

Michelle felt her greatest accomplishment was her two children, Tyler and Morgan. She helped them any way that she could. They were the center of her life. Her unwavering love for her children infused every aspect of her being, there was nothing she would not do for them. It was also during this time that she found the parish of St. Clare of Assisi which became a second home to her and solidified her love of Our Lord. Michelle spent many hours volunteering at the Church and school only stopping due to her physical ailments. Both Morgan and Tyler would spend their formative years at St. Clare being shaped by its ministry. As had been the case throughout her life, Michelle would find even more dear and close friends there at St Clare and she created many happy memories.

Michelle was a woman of integrity, grace and compassion who cherished her family and numerous friends. All who knew her were enriched by her presence in their lives.

Michelle is survived by her husband Michael, son Tyler (Alexandra), daughter Morgan, mother and stepfather Cindy and Gene Frankart, brother Shane Carter (Samantha), stepsister Lisa Frankart, and stepsister Sara Frankart Winn (Steve), aunt Theresa Sander, cousins Kinsey Sander and Lauren Rangel (Adrian) and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation and rosary will be held starting at 6pm Tuesday, May 13, with a Funeral Mass being held on Wednesday, May 14, at 10:30 am at St. Clare of Assisi at 3131 El Dorado, Houston, Texas.