Sweet Nana

On December 1st, my beloved Nana passed away. She was one special lady and I am not sure how to even write about what she meant to me. There just are not enough words to describe her charm, her benevolence, her love for her family, her love for her friends, her pride, her honesty, her devotion and her sweet sweet spirit. I recorded Cooper singing at church that day and sent it too my Uncle Mark. He played it for Nana...I like to think it may have been the last thing she heard.

I hope she knows how loved she was and how proud and humbled I am to be her granddaughter.

Houser, Betty Sue 84, of Houston, Texas died peacefully at her residence on December 1, 2013. Born on May 7, 1929 in Royse City, Texas to George A. "Jack" and Ivalee Patterson, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Ezra Carol Houser; daughter, Carol Lynn Houser Wise; brother, Bob Patterson; sister, Bonita Houser; and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Dixie Hammett and son-in law, Mike Hammett of Pink Mountain, British Columbia; son, Mark Houser and daughter-in-law, Lou Houser, also of Houston, Texas; eleven grandchildren, Carolina and Rob Cunningham, Zach Hammett, Jenny and Jeremiah Kolbensvik, Dixie and Michael Morgan, Sarah and Anderson Mohle, and Ellie and Amy Houser; and two (soon to be three) great grandchildren, Cooper and Georgia Cunningham. She is also survived by her sister and dear friend Pat Patterson; brother-in-law, Kenneth Houser; sister-in-law, Linda Houser; and brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Ruth Houser. Sue was valedictorian of Royse City High School. She was a loving mother and devoted wife, always attending to the needs of her family first. She worked as a professional with her brother Bob for years for El Chico Restaurants and for Hutton, Patterson and Company, a public accounting firm. Sue was a devoted member of Preston Hollow United Methodist Church and loved singing in the choir. "Nana" loved spending time with her grandkids and hosting them at her house for her famous sandwiches, lots of Jello, time in the Jacuzzi, and laughter in the backyard. She was interested in whatever they were doing, from church musicals to soccer games, volleyball games, basketball games and more. She will be remembered especially for always encouraging her family to follow their dreams. As Sue began to struggle quietly with dementia, she moved to Houston to be closer to her son and his family. Through this season of her life, she continued to make new friends and enjoy time with family. During this time she was particularly blessed with the companionship of Fritz Lanham. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 pm on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Preston Hollow United Methodist Church. The service will follow at 2 pm in the sanctuary. Interment will follow at Restland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sparrow Missions (www.sparrowmissions.com), which is an outreach ministry focused on people of all ages who have been forgotten by the world, but not by God. The family would like to express its deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the many people who cared for Sue during her illness, including Dr. Nicole Jamison, the dedicated, loving caretakers at the Hampton Spring Shadows and the Cottage at Spring Branch, Memorial City Memorial Hermann Hospital, Amed Hospice Group nursing staff, and the neurologic intensive care team at Houston Methodist Hospital.

 

I just bet these two love birds are enjoying sharing their Blue Bell ice cream every night.

 

We headed down to Dallas that weekend to celebrate her and say goodbye. Of course it was the night the HUGE ice storm hit so it was quite the adventure headed to Dallas. Aunt Pat opened her home to us all and it was the perfect weekend with the whole family. Nana would have loved the hustle and bustle of all of us in one place. Gabby made herself right at home.

 I know my mom was anxiously awaiting Pops to get there. Because of the weather his flights kept getting cancelled and he ended up flying into Houston and driving up with Aunt Lou.

 Gabby kept everyone smiling.

 

 Cooper behaved like a perfect Gentlemen.

 Thank goodness for family like this. The Schattles are just so incredible. They and the Hainsfurthers had lunch for all of us before the service. And despite having no power at their own home for 2 days they made sure we were all comfortable and happy.

 The service was just beautiful and it felt like coming back home having it at Preston Hollow UMC. We grew up going there with Nana and Papa and it was great to see all the familiar faces of that wonderful church. After the burial Nana hosted everyone at El Fenix for dinner. It would have made her day to know she treated everyone to such a fun celebration. We are so blessed to be her family.

 

I had the privilege of speaking at her service. I stole the quote from our Christmas card. It is from the Polar Express. "Sometime the most real things in life are the things you cannot see". I know that even though I can't see her anymore Nana's love for all of us is one of the most real things I will ever know.