Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Louis R. Shibest and Annie (Mentlewski) Shibest, sisters and brothers-in-law Helen Shibest Noto and Charles, Margaret Shibest Finke and Mark, Clara Shibest Hooker and Lloyd, Louise Shibest Kristynik and Jeff, Magdalene Shibest Flores and Ray, and brothers and sister-in-law Edward Shibest and Anna Mae, Robert Shibest, and James Shibest. Also, Baby Girl House, her second born child.
Barbara is survived by her spouse of almost 65 years, William Romain House (Montgomery), son Paul and daughter-in-law Susan House (Montgomery), daughter Darla House Christman (Austin), grandchildren Evan Paul House (Montgomery), Sarah Ann Christman (Las Vegas, NV), and Seth Michael Christman (Tempe, AZ), sisters-in-law Jeannette Shibest and Kathy Boase and brothers-in-law Lee House (Carol) and James House, as well and numerous nieces and nephews. Also, her incredibly special friends from her time at Sacred Heart Elementary School.
Barbara was born eighth of nine children into a Polish Catholic family in Anderson, Texas. Her mother died when Barbara was 12 years old and six years later, at 18, her father died. She lived in Houston with her eldest brother and his family for most of her teenage years. Barbara graduated high school in 1957 from Charles H. Milby High School. She met the love of her life, William Romain House, on a blind date and married November 7, 1959, at Resurrection Catholic Church. Meanwhile her youngest brother Jimmy, lived with her and Romain until Jimmy was drafted into the Army in late 1963. Barbara’s vocation as wife and mother blossomed in February of 1961, June 1963, and November 1965 with the birth of each child.
Barbara and her family moved from Houston to Conroe in 1970 whereupon she enrolled her son at Sacred Heart Elementary School. By the time her daughter was school age, and Barbara was making multiple trips to the school each day for drop-offs, pick-ups, and volunteering, the school staff asked her if she would be interested in working at the school thus beginning a 35 year career in the library and office as administrative assistant. Barbara had a significant impact on generations of children and families over those years.
The joy of Barbara’s life was her husband, children, and grandchildren. She knew the true meaning of love is to desire what is good for the other person - a choice, an act of will, not a feeling or fate. She passed her Catholic faith and devotion to her husband to her children. She was blessed to watch her three grandchildren be born, grow into “good kids,” and attend college. She was present at as many of their activities as she could over the years. Barbara loved watching collegiate and professional sports and nature – flowers, plants, and all kinds of animals - especially her “grand” dogs Rocco and Waldo, and ‘’grand” cat Aspire.
A Rosary will begin at 1 PM on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, (109 N Frazier, St., Conroe, Texas, 77301) followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:30 PM. A Reception will be held in the Archangel Hall immediately following the conclusion of Mass. Barbara will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Garden Park Cemetery, 801 Teas Road, Conroe, Texas, 77303.
The family kindly requests that there be no flowers sent. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memorial of Barbara to the American Cancer Society, (https://donate.cancer.org/) or your favorite charity.
The family would like to thank the team at Devotion Hospice for making the final days of Barbara’s journey peaceful in the comfort of familiar surroundings. Words can never express the kindness and compassion the staff showed to Barbara and the family.
