Marian Meleady Sexton

Marian Meleady Sexton, surrendered to her 94 years, after a long illness, on January 1st, 2014 in Houston, Texas. This gracious woman with a great sense of humor and a deep faith was born on June 8th 1919 in Newark, New Jersey to Richard Meleady and Mary Frances Casey, first generation Irish.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Joseph Matthew Sexton, and her sisters Helen Felsberg and Gertrude Watson.

She is survived by her daughters Maryann Smith and her husband Alan; Kate and her life partner Sand Hicks; her two sons and their wives Richard and Diane, Joseph Jr. and Dawn; grandchildren Christiane, Jeffrey, Joshua and Ashley; great-grandchildren Emma, Justin, Maite, Gabrielle and Jack; and her precious feline companion of 15 years, Macrena.

While her husband was posted abroad for his engineering company, Marian and her family lived in London and Paris. They traveled extensively throughout Europe, often camping, and experiencing its post-WWII reconstruction.

In Paris, she was a member of the American Catholic Women’s Association and she volunteered at one of the first inpatient hospices for women dying of cancer.

Marian was a self-taught woman of culture. She became fluent in French. She exposed her children to plays, ballets, and opera. They learned about music, art and good foods. She sent them to local schools and French summer camps. Marian, along with her husband, made it possible for the family to experience the fullness of European life.

She had a great sense of style. She knew how to coordinate colors, clothes, jewelry. She had a flair for making living space both classy and homey. She was an elegant dancer and a genuine hostess.

Upon returning to the United States and living several years in New Jersey, Marian and her husband moved to Houston, Texas and made this great state their home.

Marian continued her dedication to service. She was active at Holy Family Catholic Church in Missouri City as a Eucharistic Minister and one of the founding mothers of the FRIENDS Group. She started a scripture study group. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and served as Grand Regent. When Fort Bend Hospital opened, she started her 25 year career as a volunteer, and had the privilege of serving as the volunteer group’s President for some years.

Marian was a model for living her final years as an active woman. She knew when to move to avoid isolation; when to stop driving to avoid tickets, and when to accept hospice to die with dignity.

She lived joyfully at University Place for seven years. She volunteered in the Gift Shop; was a founding member of a book club; the hospitality co-chair person for a year; and a member of a French language group. While living there, she became a member of St. Francis de Sales Parish.

Throughout her life, she made many close friends. She was generous and well-loved. She had keen sense of humor. For 29 years, she was a faithful friend of Bill W. Her memory will be a blessing to each person she touched.

Visitation will be held from 6PM to 8PM, Vigil Prayers and sharing memories at 7PM, on Friday January 10th at Earthman Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris in Bellaire Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Wayne Wilkerson at Noon on Saturday January 11 at Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 8200 Roos in Houston Texas.

Contributions may be made to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church or the SPCA.