Marilyn Margaret (Makus) Lovell

Marilyn Margaret (Makus) Lovell (May 19, 1943 – May 3, 2023) ascended to Heaven on May 3, 2023, after a courageous battle with several illnesses. Marilyn was born May 19, 1943, to Frank Michael and Lena Agnes Makus. Lena Agnes (Bertolino) Makus was from the Provincia di Trapani in Italy and Frank Michael Makus’ family was from Poland. Her father served Private First Class in non-combat operations in the U.S. military during WWII in Tooele, Utah, and this is where Marilyn was born, yet she lived in Houston all of her life and grew up in The Houston Heights area. She attended Holy Name All Saints Catholic School, Hamilton Middle School, and graduated from Reagan High School. She was married to James Dillard Lovell, born in Shelby County, Texas, for over twenty-five years, and they were blessed with two children, Mary Antoinette (Lovell) Cadena and James Michael Joseph Lovell, and a grandson, Thomas James Cadena. Marilyn loved her children and grandson with all of her heart and continually prayed for their happiness, success, and well-being.

Marilyn was a devout Catholic and her faith assisted her throughout the years in developing a valiant spirit which helped her overcome adversity. Marilyn held various positions in retail and education, but she received blessings through volunteer work assisting the elderly. She was a passionate advocate and visited nursing facilities throughout the Houston area sharing scriptures and God’s message of love while providing compassion, companionship, hope, and strength through prayer. Marilyn was very proud of this personal ministry and she felt that it was her true calling. Marilyn was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend and her commitment to unconditional love, the Catholic faith, and belief in God was inspiring and an exemplar for all. She loved attending Mass receiving the Word of God and blessings from the Eucharist and she poured her heart and soul into singing her favorite hymns and sacred songs. She had a passion for prayer, music, the arts, travel, love for family and friends, tradition, holidays, and multiple celebrations. She cheered Michael, Mary, and Thomas James in every endeavor in which they participated, and she embraced them with unconditional love. She had a beautiful smile, and as a family, we shared a great deal of love every moment of the day and through multiple celebrations of life. Her faith was strong and steadfast and provided the foundation to overcome illness and adversity.

Marilyn is survived by her son James Michael Joseph Lovell, daughter Mary Antoinette (Lovell) Cadena, grandson Thomas James Cadena, and many friends and relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents Frank Michael and Lena Agnes Makus, her sister Rosemary Ann (Makus) Keys, and many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins from the Bertolino and Makus families.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 12th at 1:00 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 215 E. 10th St., Houston, TX 77008. A reception will take place after the funeral at Heights Funeral Home from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Her Interment will take place in the near future at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heightsfuneralhome.com for the Lovell family.