ANN CUTHBERT MARTIN PHENICIE
1926-2017
PHENICIE, ANN CUTHBERT MARTIN passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Tuesday, the 7th of November 2017 in Houston, TX. She was born in Washington, D.C. on the 29th of October 1926 to John Vincent Martin and Elsie Leadbetter Martin. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, her sister and brother, and her son William (Bill). Her family moved to Houston in January 1927 when her father joined Vinson Elkins law firm. Ann married her Rice University sweetheart, John Wilbur Phenicie, Jr. WWII Navy Seabee when he returned following her Rice graduation in 1946. They were blessed with five children, ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and many wonderful “inlaws” as listed – son John Vincent Phenicie and wife Tamera Juergens – children John Christopher Phenicie and wife Heather and their children Blake, Drew and Matt, Tiffany Kathleen Conrad and husband Jeffrey and their children Cale, Cayden and Jack, Joshua Vincent Phenicie and Kelly Michelle Centurion and husband Francisco and child Sacha; son William Martin Phenicie (deceased 1974) – child Michael Vincent Phenicie and wife Melissa and their children Kaitlyn, William Martin II and Michael; son Thomas Heyward Phenicie and children Jennifer and husband John Workman, and Thomas Heyward, Jr.; daughter Dr. Martha Ann Newsome and husband Doug Lewis, children Christina Lynn and husband Gabriel Malouf and their children Karyn and Jonah, and son Jonathan Michael Newsome; son James Middleton Phenicie and wife Suzan Baker and child William Middleton Phenicie.
Ann was especially proud of her husband, John - a Vice President of Amoco Production Co. and highly honored in the oil industry.
She was especially honored in volunteer service in Houston, Casper, Wyoming and Tulsa, Oklahoma – Casper Service League, den mother, Girl Scout leader, PTA, Tulsa Jr. League Volunteer of the Year, and nominated one of three for Volunteer of the Year, Oklahoma. Tulsa Library Commission, Tulsa Community Chest Chairman Women’s Division, Tulsa Medical Center Board, Altar Guild 1968-1972, Daughters of the King, Vestry (multiple times – Church of the Holy Spirit, Houston and St. Cuthbert Episcopal Church, Houston), Episcopal Churchwomen President (local), Annual Diocesan Conference Delegate, Jr. League of Houston, International Order of St. Luke, River Oaks Blossom Club (President), National Society of Colonial Dames – Houston Town Committee Chairman and Texas State Historian.
Ann felt particularly blessed by her love and faith in God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit as she served in many ways listed above and especially as Lay Eucharistic Minister, taking communion to the sick and serving at the altar of St. Cuthbert Episcopal Church for many years. In describing her ministry work at the church Ann said she did “everything from cleaning toilets to helping with communion, but not on the same day.” One of her many favorite ministries included Order of St. Luke healing team offering prayers each Sunday for individuals in need. She was also a “gallon” blood donor – always first in line to give the precious gift of life. Ann was often described as an angel by many.
Ann was especially blessed by friends of 70+ years – The “Bridge Club” – classmates, bridesmaids and friends forever. Blessed too by wonderful housekeeper of 40 years, Bonnie Herman, many loving caregivers from LivHome who stayed with Ann around the clock – particularly Jeannette, and the staff at the Houston Hospice especially Paige. The family appreciates the care of the Plaza staff at the Buckingham Houston, especially Julie Grissett, and the wonderful nurses who sang with Ann and cared for her with such love in her final days.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 10th of November, in the drawing room of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The funeral service is to be conducted at half-past ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 11th of November, at St. Cuthbert Episcopal Church, 17020 West Rd in Houston, where The Rev. Bruce Bonner is to officiate.
The interment will follow, via an escorted cortege, at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery , 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to St. Cuthbert Episcopal Church, 17020 West Rd in Houston, TX 77095; or to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030.
Immediately following, all are invited to a reception at the Buckingham, 5580 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77063.