Marilyn Esther Harvey

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Karen Carter of Katy, TX, her son Scott and his wife Pam of Boston Mass, her sister Carolyn Holman of Portland, Maine, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Harvey of 65 years of marriage, who passed away on October 8, 2017.

Marilyn was born on May 24, 1930 to Hunter and Louise (Dougan) Leslie, in Pontiac, Michigan. She and her two sisters were raised on a farm in Ada, Ohio, which provided most of the food for their family. She used to tell many stories about feeding the chickens, collecting the eggs, shelling peas, snapping beans, and shucking corn. She had very fond memories of her childhood and shared these stories with her children and grandchildren.

Marilyn and Jim met on a blind date and were eventually married at her parents' home August 3, 1953. They were married for 65 years. They had two children and Mom threw herself into that role. As we got older, and more independent, she took her talents and kind loving heart and ventured out, working at a Mother's Day Out at Memorial Drive Methodist Church in Houston. She became a legend....she could calm down any child, no matter how upset, with soothing words, sweet songs, and a gentle loving touch. She touched so many children's lives in her lifetime.

Christmas time was always the favorite holiday at Moms. That meant baking Christmas cookies. Every family member had one cookie that was their favorite and would remind her. The kids always got to help. She would give them chairs to reach the counters, their own supply of flour and utensils, and an apron. Let the baking begin! And somehow, this amazing woman, managed to produce at least one batch of every "favorite" cookie. The kids, being the helpers, were instructed to taste a cookie out of every batch, to make sure they came out just right.

She loved playing games with the grandchildren. Her favorite game was Chinese checkers and she was good at it. All family members loved challenging her to a game of checkers. Most of the time, she won. We all have very fond memories sitting around the table, laughing, trying to figure out her strategy. On New Year's Day, Mom would bring out a brand new 1000 piece Thomas Kinkade puzzle. The card table was set up in the formal living room and anyone walking through the room were invited to put a few pieces together. All would stop and work on that puzzle every time we were in the house. This would continue until the puzzle was complete. This was a tradition started by her....and it continues.

She will be missed beyond words, but she and Dad are together again.

A service will be held Friday, March 1, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. A private burial at Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be held at a later date to reunite her with Dad.