Mary Frances House

Mary Frances Blake House was born August 2, 1931 in Winfield Kansas, and departed this life at age 90 in Albuquerque, NM on April 3, 2022.

She is survived by her five children: Mary Sue House of Oklahoma City, OK;  Harry (Susan) House, Jr. of Colleyville, TX; Frances (Rodney) Brown of Abilene, TX; Tom House of Albuquerque, NM; and Martha (David) Clouse of Lancaster, OH.  In addition, her grandchildren survive her: Beth (David) Sweeney of Aledo, TX; Ashley Brown of Weatherford, TX; Blake (Becca) Hall of Belpre, OH; Kasey House of Anchorage, AK; Kristin (Sean) Judge of Madison, TN; Alexis (Cody) Gauthier of Lancaster, OH; and Thomas House of Arlington Heights, IL.  Her great-grandchildren are Piper and Harper Sweeney of Aledo, TX and Michael Judge of Madison, TN.

She is preceded in death by her parents George and Frances Blake, her siblings Margaret (Don) Groves, Lucy (Foy) Moudy, and George (Helen) Blake Jr.; as well as Mary’s husband, Harry House Sr.

Mary was graduated from Winfield (KS) High School in 1949 and Abilene Christian College in 1953, with a degree in music education.

Mary’s beautiful voice earned her the lead in Abilene Christian College’s production of Madam Butterfly her senior year. She often returned to Abilene to participate in the college’s reunions and recordings.  She continued to use her musical education and vocal talent to teach music in Winfield (KS) public schools 1953-1955.

She was a homemaker and mother to five children, but also worked in JC Penney’s in the Drapery and Toy departments in the mid 1970s,  and for GE in the manufacture of molds for airplanes. She was a model for Catherine’s clothing shop and was active with her husband on bowling leagues, on one of which she was league secretary.

Mary was a faithful member  of Pennsylvania St. Church of Christ, which later relocated and is known as Mountainside Church of Christ. She served as an elder’s wife from 1972 until 2007. She and her husband Harry were known for their compassionate visits to the sick in hospitals. Her distinctive and lovely voice was the musical hallmark of baptismal services, weddings, and other events at church for decades.

And anyone who knew her recognized that she loved the color purple.

Visitation will take place Thursday, April 7, 2022, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at FRENCH – Lomas, 10500 Lomas Blvd, NE, (505) 275-3500.  A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, 3:00 p.m. at Mountainside Church of Christ, 12300 Indian School Rd NE, 87112.  Alan Taylor will preside.  Interment will be held on Monday, May 9, 2022, 1:30 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery, in Santa Fe, NM.