ELAINE MARMANDE ROYCE MCGOWN
February 28, 1920 - July 14, 2022
Elaine Marmande Royce McGown died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday morning, the 14th of July 2022 in Houston, Texas.
She was born on her family’s sugar plantation St. Elois near Houma, Louisiana on the 28th of February 1920, to Lois Lockett Marmande and Bernard Joseph Marmande.
Among her favorite childhood memories, Elaine remembers connecting with her French heritage when the leaders of Houma selected her to give a short speech in French, then present flowers to the president of France when he visited Houma in 1932. In 1940, Elaine graduated from Louisiana State University where she was active in Tri Delta Sorority, which led to her leadership roles with the Houston Panhellenic Council. At LSU Elaine enjoyed many facets of student life including being chosen Blue Bird queen by the Pershing Rifles as well as the school wide honor of being chosen a maid of homecoming for two years. After graduation in 1940, Elaine moved to New Orleans to work in the library at Tulane University Medical School where she met Thomas Luhm Royce, an ophthalmology resident. After their marriage in 1942, and shortly after he completed his eye residency at Charity Hospital, Elaine and Dr. Royce moved to Houston where he opened his ophthalmology practice and they raised their three children.
Elaine enjoyed volunteering in her new city, beginning with the Medical Auxiliary. Under her leadership, the Auxiliary participated in the 1962 “Victory Over Polio” which included a fund raising dinner featuring Dr. Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine. The campaign exceeded its financial goal so Dr. Royce along with other civic leaders suggested the excess funds be used to start a medical museum, a dream completed decades later when The Health Museum, a member institution of the Texas Medical Center, opened in 1996. Another fundraiser Elaine organized during that time was an annual dinner benefitting the Hermann Eye Center. She also chaired the Mardi Gras Ball benefitting the University of St. Thomas. Additionally, Elaine served as Publicity Chairman for The Houston Museum of Fine Arts and was a section chairman for The Houston Symphony fund drive. Involvement with her children’s activities led her to be a Cub Scout den mother as well as a Blue Birds’ leader in Camp Fire Girls in addition to volunteering at St. John’s School in the Mothers’ Guild. Dr. Royce and Elaine were parishioners at St. Anne Catholic Church. Elaine also participated in the John McKnitt Alexander chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Dr. Royce and Elaine were active in the River Oaks Country Club where she served as President of the River Oaks Women’s Association, during which time she started the Senior Style Show, which continues to be held every spring to celebrate high school seniors.
After Dr. Royce’s untimely death at the age of 51 years, Elaine met and married Thomas Daniel McGown with whom she enjoyed thirty-nine wonderful years.
Elaine and Thomas were members of the Houston Country Club where she led the Houston Country Club Women’s Association as president. During this time, Elaine was also president of the Houston Bar Auxiliary. Mr. and Mrs. McGown were active parishioners at his childhood church, Trinity Episcopal Church.
Throughout her life, Elaine enjoyed membership in numerous clubs where she made many friends. At the time of her death, she was a member of Bolero Dance Club, the River Oaks Country Club and the Houston Country Club.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Thomas Luhm Royce; her second husband, Thomas Daniel McGown; her sister, Catherine Marmande Jones’ and her brotherin-law, Dr. Craig Jones. Survivors include her three children, her sons, Thomas Luhm Royce, Jr. and wife Karen Kuper Royce, Bernard Lockett “Ben” Royce and wife Elizabeth Jackson Royce, and her daughter, Elaine Royce Walburn and husband Dr. David James Walburn; two step-daughters, Carol McGown Blaine and Susan McGown Sisler; three grandsons, Thomas Luhm Royce III and wife D’Lexis Kernan Royce, James Lockett Royce and wife Megan Romine Royce, and Robert McGown Royce; and two great-grandchildren, Jackson Lockett Royce and Bailey Elizabeth Royce.
The family would like to thank Mrs. McGown’s caregivers Raystene Henderson, Janet Conway, Zerenia White, Beverly Benning, Twana Smith and Tara Moore whose care was so essential to Mrs. McGown’s wellbeing.
The Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at half-past ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 22nd of July, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road in Houston.
Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are David J. Walburn, James L. Royce, Robert M. Royce and Michael P. Cullinan.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby church parlor.
The family will gather for a private Rite of Committal at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.
Please visit Ms. McGown’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.