Helen Butler Houston died at Moses Cone Hospital on July 22, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in County Tipperary Ireland on October 4, 1934 to Catherine Cleere and George Butler. She was educated in the Irish National School System, and following her graduation she moved to London where she began college, nursing school and midwifery graduate school at Guys Hospital and University College Hospital. She rode her bicycle throughout London visiting prenatal patients, delivering babies, and supervising postpartum care. In 1964 Helen was invited to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland to start a midwifery program. It was there she met her future husband, Dr. Frank Houston on the delivery floor. Their whirlwind courtship led to a Valentine’s Day proposal and a wedding in April of 1965. Soon after that, Frank was drafted into the Army Medical Corps and they reported to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama in July 1965. Their first child, Matt was born there in 1966, and they made lifelong friends, and witnessed the static firing of the Saturn 5 rocket. They returned to Baltimore in 1967 where Frank completed a 3 year dermatology residency at Johns Hopkins, and their 2nd child, Catherine was born there in 1968. In 1970 they moved to Greensboro where their 3rd child, Amanda was born in 1972. Helen then began a new career as full time mother and volunteer, which she embraced and suited her well.
She was a devout Roman Catholic and volunteered at St. Pius X School and Church, as well as Maryfield Nursing Home (now Pennybyrn) where she was a board member. She also dedicated time to St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, and was professed into the Secular Franciscan Order over 20 years ago. She loved being a member of The Franciscan Family of Greensboro, and always followed the Franciscan way of life.
As her children entered high school, Helen became involved in activities at Greensboro Day School, The Greensboro Medical Auxiliary, Greensboro Symphony Guild, The Guilford College Art Appreciation Club, The Greensboro Council of Catholic Women, and the English Speaking Union, all while enjoying gardening, bridge, and spending time with family and friends.
Always a Tarheel fan, Helen embraced her three children’s attendance at UNC-Chapel Hill. Summers at Wrightsville Beach and Yonahlosee were her favorite family vacation spots. She also delighted in travel during the off season to Hawaii and Europe, especially her home country of Ireland. She was a strong and passionate woman who enjoyed every phase of her life and all things pink! She was a natural beauty with an Irish temperament to balance things out.
Helen was the last surviving sibling of nine; 3 sisters, Josie (Phelan), May (O’Hara), and Anne (Kavanagh); and 5 brothers, George, Michael, Patrick, John, and Christopher.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, and their 3 children; Matt (Tammi), Catherine (Stephen), and Amanda (Robert), and 4 grandchildren; Murphey (Kristin), Zachary, Courtney, and Josie.
Visitation will take place from 6-8pm on Wednesday, July 28th at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, 515 North Elm St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Thursday, July 29th at St. Pius X Catholic Church.
Donations can be made to Franciscan Center in downtown Greensboro, St. Pius X Catholic Church, and Pennybyrn At Maryfield.
Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.
