Mae Scheinuk Barclay

MAE SCHEINUK BARCLAY passed away peacefully and went home to be with her Lord on January 24, 2015 at the age of 98. She was born on August 19, 1916 to Sam and Ella Mae Scheinuk in Baton Rouge, LA. At an early age, Mae showed artistic talent and continued throughout her life enjoying various art forms. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She also attended the Traphagen School of Fashion Design in New York City.

In her 20’s, she met and married the love of her life, a young geologist, Stewart Barclay, and embarked on a married life of travel far away from Baton Rouge. They began married life in Venezuela. While in Venezuela Mae started an English language newspaper. From Venezuela, they moved to Mexico City.

Upon returning to Houston after only 12 years of marriage, her husband, who at the time was the Chief Geologist for Tenneco Oil Co., died suddenly. Her love and affection for Stewart continued until her death. She kept busy with their two year old son, Bruce.

During the 1960’s, Mae started her own business, Advertising Design Studio, Inc. She enjoyed clients like Esther Wolf and Isabell Gerhart , designing their fashion layouts for the newspaper. She adored that work as she was quite the elegant “fashionista” herself ! Mae was also the co-owner of an art gallery. She was also published in two books of poetry with her writing group called The Friday Line. Mae had the special talent to transform her feelings and imagination to the written word. Mae had kind and gentle ways and an elegance that was appreciated by many.

Mae was a member in many local organizations and enjoyed her friendships made in each. This included the Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council, the Houston Geological Auxiliary, the Pan American Round Table, the El Club Continental, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, the Geo-Wives, the University Women’s Alliance, the Blue Bird Circle, The Friday Line poetry writing group, and was also a member of the The Houston Club.

Mae was preceded in her death by her husband, Stewart Barclay, her parents, Sam and Ella Mae Scheinuk, and brother Ralph Scheinuk. Mae is survived by her son, Bruce and his wife Nancy, of Houston, Texas; her granddaughter Lisa Barclay and Jordan Milazzo and their child, Aubrey Milazzo, of Houston. She is also survived by her dear and close friend Margaret Thibodaux.

A private burial was held. A memorial service will be held for friends and family at the Treemont Retirement Community at 10:00 A. M. on Saturday, February 7th at 2501 Westerland, Houston, TX 77063.

In the last years of her life Mae enjoyed living at the Treemont Retirement Community, where she received excellent care from the staff and the Senior Allegiance Home Health providers. Mae then moved to the Treemont Health Care Facility and was taken care of by their staff and New Century Hospice. She had a fondness for her friend and caregiver Linda Parsons. The family would like to thank all who kept Mae comfortable to the end.

Those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to either:

Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation In memory of Mae Barclay (Methodist Breast Cancer Center) 1701 Sunset Blvd., Houston, TX 77005 or Blue Bird Circle in memory of Mae Barclay 615 West Alabama, Houston, TX 77006.