Louise Margaret Levy

Louise Margaret Loose Horr Levy died on Saturday, the 23rd of March 2013, at her home in Houston, at the age of 86. She was a born instigator, strong of will and steadfast in love, honor and loyalty to the end.

Born on the 27th of November 1926, in El Paso, Texas, to William Emory Loose and Hazel Stout Loose, her family moved to Houston when her father joined the legal staff of The Texas Company. She attended Montrose Elementary and Lanier Junior High. She was a proud Hopi at Cimarroncita Ranch Camp, Ute Park, New Mexico. She graduated from Lamar High School with the Class of 1943 and received a BA degree from The Rice Institute with the wartime accelerated Class of 1946. The family home on Rice Boulevard became a favored gathering place for Rice Owls for many years thereafter.

From 1932, when she won her first blue ribbon at Houston Riding Academy at age six, until World War II, she was among the top young American Saddlebred show riders in the nation. Her early rides on three-gaited Gray Dawn earned horsemanship trophies statewide. Partnered with her beloved five-gaited champion, Little Crusader, she took top honors at leading shows in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler, San Antonio, Austin, Baton Rouge, Kansas City and St. Louis.

Louise Loose and John "Jack" Simm Horr were married on the 2nd of June 1947, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houston. Until his death in August of 1978, she balanced a full family life with what she felt was a true vocation. She taught English at Pershing and Lanier Junior High Schools before joining the staff at St. Thomas Episcopal School, where she held legendary classes in English grammar. She annually directed a student production of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" or "Merchant of Venice" and hosted a gala formal tea for her young ladies until her retirement. Summer and holiday gatherings with family and friends at Peaceful Valley Ranch in Bandera were a sacred tradition.

Louise Loose Horr and Joseph "Joe" Maurice Levy were married on the 17th of November 1984, at her home in Houston, to the joy of their combined families. Until Joe's death in October of 2004, they divided their year, wintering in Houston and summering at "Our House," their historic home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Her personal landscaping efforts twice earned honors in the Bucks Beautiful garden showcase. Together, they traveled Europe, hosted memorable entertainments, attended the Masters Golf Tournament, the Indianapolis 500 and Keeneland races, haunted antique auctions and cheered many, many Rice Owl and Texas Aggie athletic events.

Louise Levy is survived by children, Ellen Louise Horr, John William "Bill" Horr and wife Fawn Horr, Peter Simm Horr and wife Sharon Stephenson; step-children, John Levy and wife Susan Carr Levy, David Levy and wife Karen Marie Levy, Susan Levy and Donald Levy; grandchildren Taryn Leigh Horr, Bryan Horr, Anne Marie Levy, Samuel Levy, David J. Levy and Heather Levy; and great grandchild, Thomas Levy.

She was a member of the Alexander Love Chapter of the DAR, the San Jacinto Chapter of the DRT, the Jefferson Davis Chapter of the UDC, Chapter AY of PEO, the Rice Historical Society, the Rice Associates, Pro America and St. Thomas Episcopal Church. She deeply cherished her dear friends and fellow surviving members of The Bridge Club, formed at Lanier Junior High: Wilma Allen, Rosalie King, Ann Phenicie and Camille Simpson of Houston; Mary Lib Thornhill, Mary Martha Clements and Kay Zelsman of Austin; and Martha Ulbricht of Georgetown. Former memberships included the Braeswood Garden Club, the Huisache Dance Club, The Warwick Club and The International Club.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff and caregivers of the Memory Support Unit at The Plaza at The Buckingham for their extraordinary kindness and compassion.

A memorial service, celebrating her life, is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 6th of April, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 4900 Jackwood Street in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Ingram Room.