BERNADETTE ELISE FRETZ REESE

03/06/1928 - 08/31/2022

Bernadette “Detsy” Elise Fretz Reese passed away peacefully on August 31, 2022 following a short illness, and went to be with her Lord and Savior at the age of 94. Detsy is preceded in death by her husband James McInnis Reese, both her parents Edmund A. Fretz and Bernadette Reynolds Fretz, her 5 siblings Joseph, John Eugene, Edmund Jr. and his wife Eloise, Margaret and her husband Thomas L. Cobb, and Robert R. Fretz. She is survived by her sister-in law Margery R. Fretz.

Detsy was a native Houstonian, born on March 6, 1928 at St. Joseph Hospital. She grew up in St. Mary’s parish and graduated from St. Agnes Academy in 1944. She subsequently earned a liberal arts degree from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas in 1949. Detsy was proud to be associated with Fretz Construction, a noted construction company founded by her father. Fretz construction built many of the churches, ecclesiastic buildings, and synagogues in the City of Houston, including St. Anne Church and School.

Detsy is lovingly remembered by her children, Barry, James, Richard, Mary Anne Ballouz, John, Bernadette Gray and her husband David, 9 grandchildren, 8 greatgrandchildren, her dearest friends Barbara and Ray Falcon (sister and brother in heart), their family, and her sweet dog Dolly.

Detsy was very active for many decades in St. Anne Catholic community, St. Agnes Academy, St. Thomas High School, and volunteered for many years in the Charity Guild of Catholic Women. Detsy was a lifelong advocate for Catholic Education, her vocation was rooted in love and she firmly believed in St. Theresa’s philosophy to “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love”.

A special thanks and sincere gratitude from the family to her caregivers Jean Jones, Alice Thomas, Gerry Payne, Monique Payne, Lucy Hamilton for their loving care during her last years.

Funeral Services will be held September 9, 2022, at St. Anne Catholic Church starting with a viewing at 9:00 am immediately followed by a Scriptural Rosary at 9:30 am. The Requiem Mass at 10:00 am followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Interment at Forest Park Lawndale at 1:30.

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to the St. Anne Catholic School Foundation – Fr. John Bourse Scholarship Fund or a charity of your choice.

Pall Bearers: David Gray, Jonathan Gray, Jonah Gray, Nathan Gray, Robert Garcia, Raymond Falcon III, Pedro Martinez (Alternate)

Honorary Pall Bearers: Jamie Reese Whitney, Mary Reese Barry, Michael Reese, Joseph Ballouz, Eric Ballouz, Leah Ballouz.

The Reese family deeply appreciates the support of your loving condolences, uplifting prayers, and positive thoughts which means more than words can express.