ANNE MORGAN BRUCE

1934-2022

Maria Anne Morgan Bruce passed away peacefully the morning of March 14, 2022. After a decades-long battle with Frontotemporal Dementia, her family and friends are thankful that she is at peace and reunited with her beloved husband of more than 63 years, William “Billy” Kirkland Bruce. Her effervescent laugh, twinkling smile and lovely singing voice will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Born in Plum, Texas to Maria Hill and J. Edward Morgan on December 11, 1934, Anne grew up on the family farm in Fayette County with her parents and beloved brother, Ed. Upon graduating from La Grange High School at age 16,

Anne went off to Southern Methodist University, where she pledged Pi Beta Phi.

She enjoyed that association and the lifelong friendships it brought her—even more so upon transferring to the University of Texas at Austin. She also represented La Grange as a Duchess in the 1954 San Antonio Fiesta festivities staged by the Order of the Alamo.

Following her graduation from UT, Anne moved to Houston, where she met and fell in love with Billy Bruce. The two were married in her childhood church in La Grange on November 8, 1958, and soon after welcomed their son, Bill, and daughter, Marianna.

After growing up in the quiet countryside, Anne fully embraced all that city life in Houston had to offer, especially as a devoted member of the Junior League of Houston (JLH). She made many friends while serving in the Tea Room on Stuart Street, danced and sang in the Charity Ball, and developed a love of art and science as a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Her JLH volunteer service culminated with terms on the board of directors and executive committee. As a sustaining member, Anne happily spent many years singing in the JLH’s musical therapy group. Finally, she was honored and proud to serve as a co-chair for the planning and execution of building the current JLH home on Briar Oaks Lane. Anne also thoroughly enjoyed her two volunteer stints on Harris County grand juries, classes she took at The Women’s Institute, and her social memberships—serving as president of The Assembly and president of the Houston Country Club Women’s Association.

Anne and Billy were passionate about exploring the world with their family and friends. They enjoyed many adventures around the world, and some of their favorite trips included an incredible African safari and taking their four granddaughters to experience the magic of Disney World. Their extensive travels inspired them to plant roots outside of Houston; first at Lake Travis, where they loved entertaining friends, then in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Highlands, North Carolina, where they lived during the summer and fall each year.

Anne was a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church for most of her adult life, and served as a Sunday School teacher and Altar Guild member. In North Carolina, she belonged to

The Church of the Incarnation in Highlands, where she particularly loved singing Southern folk hymns at the Summer Chapel. Her former memberships include The Church of St. John the Divine in Houston and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lago Vista, Texas, of which she and Billy were founders.

As a voracious reader and avid card player, you could often find Anne reading in a comfortable chair or playing in her longstanding Wednesday bridge game. She enjoyed playing tennis and making dear friends on the tennis court. Anne also had a passion for antique furniture and art, and she loved spending time in her garden tending to her camellias.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Billy, her parents and her brother. She is survived by her son, William “Bill” Kirkland Bruce, Jr. and his wife, Clare; and her daughter, Marianna Bruce Giblin and her husband, Gerrald. She is also survived by her four granddaughters, of whom she was so proud: Katharine Bruce Denby, her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Anna Page; Mary Clare Bruce; Allison Moher Giblin; and her namesake, Mariah Anne Giblin.

Memorial details will be shared at a later date by the family. In lieu of flowers or other customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to The Junior League of Houston or The Hope and Healing Center & Institute at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Houston.