MARTHA COPELAND HORTENSTINE

04/27/1956 - 02/11/2023

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, Martha Copeland Hortenstine, known to so many as Marcie, left this world in the company of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to rejoin her beloved son Read, her parents, grandparents, and many other friends and family in what we can only imagine will be a heavenly celebration that will last for eternity.

Marcie was a vibrant, energetic, and fun-loving person with an incredibly engaging personality and the endearing ability to speak at warp speed. She loved to laugh and spend time with friends and family. Having spent her formative years in West Texas, Marcie moved to Houston at the age of 15 for the last three years of high school. She was a good student, very athletic, and participated in both the drill team and cheerleading squads. Marcie was blessed to grow up with a loving family and many close and caring friends.

After high school, she attended The University of Texas at Austin and was a member of the Tri Delta sorority and an alternate UT cheerleader. Following graduation, she spent two years in Washington, DC, working in the office of Senator John Tower.

After returning home to Houston, Marcie had a varied and successful professional career that reflected her many talents and intellect. Among her postings was a stint as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch and EF Hutton. Ultimately, she found her true calling in public relations and marketing where she put her creativity and personality to good use. She held many substantial positions in the space, including Public Relations Director for Macy’s in Houston, Director of Public Relations for the Ritz-Carlton Houston and as Marketing Director for the Galleria in Houston.

In early 1981, Marcie met the love of her life, her husband, Jim Hortenstine (or Jimmy as she lovingly referred to him). They were married on August 21, 1982. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Grant and Read. Marcie was a wonderful wife and mother. While supporting Jimmy in all of his professional endeavors, she immersed herself in all of the boys’ activities - attending innumerable baseball, lacrosse and football games and acting as “tutor in chief ” for their academic pursuits. With the boys progressing their way through high school and heading to college, Marcie returned to her career as one of the most popular pre-kindergarten teachers at Pooh Corner School from 2005 until 2012.

Throughout her life’s many endeavors, Marcie remained devoted to her family, friends, and the Blue Bird Circle. In this regard, she followed her mother’s lead in becoming a faithful and diligent worker in support of this wonderful organization. She developed many lasting friendships with the like-minded women she encountered there. In addition, Marcie and Jimmy spent many long weekends and summers relaxing at their vacation home in Wimberley, Texas. They especially enjoyed spending time there with Marcie’s parents and Jimmy’s brothers and their families.

Marcie’s last years were not easy. In 2015, she lost her son, Read, who passed away unexpectedly. Having remained in constant communication with Read throughout his college years, she missed him desperately. Not long after his passing, Marcie was diagnosed with a debilitating, progressive neurological disorder. It proved to be a long and difficult journey, but she never gave in to anger, frustration, or resentment, and maintained a brave and kind spirit to the very end. During her illness, her friends truly stepped up for her. They were faithful companions who continued to visit her, spend time with her, and take her on outings. While she will be missed greatly, we are comforted by faith-derived assurance that she is herself once more.

Marcie was preceded in death by her parents, Morgan and Patricia Copeland, and her son, Read Hortenstine. She leaves behind her husband, Jim Hortenstine, and son, Grant Hortenstine and his wife, Madeline (Maddie) and their son, James Grant Hortenstine III, brother, Morgan Copeland, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, and their daughters, Nell, Kate, and Carson, and brothers-in laws and sisters-in laws Raleigh Hortenstine (Sherry), and Dale Hortenstine (Carolyn).

A celebration of Marcie’s life will be conducted at half past ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, February 24, 2023 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church located at 3471 Westheimer Road. In lieu of the customary remembrances or flowers, and if you wish to contribute, the family requests that contributions be made in Marcie’s honor to either The Nick Finnegan Counseling Center at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church or The Blue Bird Circle, 615 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77006.