Gwen was born on the 13th of January 1938. She grew up in San Angelo, Texas, where her parents, James and Virgilia Avera, were respected members of the community. Much of the strong independence that characterized Gwen throughout her life was grounded on her West Texas heritage.
Gwen attended Baylor University, where she promptly met and fell in love with Donald L. Howell. Knowing her own mind with uncommon clarity at age nineteen, she married Don the summer after her first year at Baylor, and they moved to Tokyo and then Hawaii while he served in the Air Force. Gwen's commitment to her marriage was confirmed over the years as she and Don created a lifetime partnership that brought them great joy.
Gwen's life centered on clearly defined commitments. She believed in education - for herself and others. Gwen received her PhD in English Literature from the University of Texas, where she was a University Scholar. She put her academic success to work in teaching English at the University of St. Thomas. Gwen had a gift for understanding poetry, and she was passionate about showing others, of all ages, the beauty and meaning of poetry.
In the late 1980's Gwen made a commitment to the landscaping business. She had developed an extensive rose garden at her home on Sunset Boulevard, which has been a source of great pleasure for her Southampton neighbors, who widely refer to Gwen as "The Rose Lady." Her fascination with this garden led to the establishment of Hampton Gardens, Inc., a full purpose landscaping service company, where Gwen specialized in the design and creation of rose gardens and English cottage gardens.
Above all other commitments, Gwen was dedicated to her family and friends. She supported Don's legal career and gracefully tolerated his work schedule. She also created a home that was a sanctuary for her family and friends - her back porch was always a place of repose for visitors to the Howells' home. As a dedicated mother and grandmother, she was fascinated with helping her children and grandchildren learn the English language.
Gwen Howell was an authentic and uncommon person. She was independent, widely read, interesting, funny and kind. Her family and friends will deeply miss her.
She is survived by her husband, Donald L. Howell; her children, Daniel Liege Howell, Alison Howell Malone and her husband, Michael C. Malone, and Anne Turner Howell; her grandchildren, Emory, Jennie, Patrick and Sam Malone; and a great granddaughter, Ramona Malone. She was predeceased by her grandson, Michael Key Malone.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 1st of August, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The funeral service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 2nd of August, at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue in Houston, where the Rev. J. Pittman McGehee is to officiate.
Honored to serve as pallbearers during Thursday’s services are Jim Avera, Jonathan Day, Dr. James Duke, Jr., Brian C. Howell, Hilton Howell, Michael C. Malone, Robert Randolph and Harry Reasoner.
Immediately following, the family is to gather for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Gwen and her grandson, Michael’s, honor may be directed to the Michael Key Malone Fund at Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer, 1349 Empire Central, Ste. 240, Dallas, TX, 75247, or via their electronic website at www.wokc.org; or to Trees for Houston, P. O. Box 270477, Houston, TX, 77277.
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