Alma E. Catlin
1915-2017
Alma Engwer Catlin passed away peacefully on Friday, the 15th of September 2017, at the age of 102 ½, after a long and inspiring life. Born in Cuero, Texas on the 5th of January 1915, she was the eldest of four and the only girl. She moved to Houston and completed high school and secretarial school where she met the love of her life, Jack Catlin, taking an accounting class. They married in 1938, and raised two daughters, Linda Catlin Houle and Laura Catlin Davis.
Alma Catlin was a woman ahead of her time. In addition to being a mother, she was a career woman, working full time at Binswanger Glass, HISD, and at General Motors for twenty four years until she retired in 1977. While she was Secretary to the Pontiac Zone Manager, co-workers perceived her as the true boss "who ran the office".
She found her spiritual home at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in 1958, which, at the age of 96, she noted, "has been the bedrock of my life and provided both comfort and joy through the years." There, she served in many leadership roles, as the first woman vestry member in the 1970's and again on the vestry in the 1980s; as a member of the Altar Guild for over 55 years and Directress for six years; and as a board member for the Palmer Episcopal Church Women's group. She also served as the second President of the very progressive Palmer's Business Women's Professional Group in the 1960's.
She was a model for how to live a long and fruitful life. She had many interests including bridge, crossword puzzles, gardening, reading the Wall Street Journal daily and baking elaborate birthday cakes for all her friends. She volunteered at the Houston Heritage Society and SEARCH and enjoyed classes at the Women's Institute. But perhaps her most important role was as a beloved, devoted and generous friend and second mother to countless individuals of all ages, including Charla, Judy, Linda, Rae, Sharon and Suzy. She was also an adoring second grandmother to Colin and Megan LaForge and Jordan and Conner Wilson.
She was predeceased by her three brothers, Joe, Allen and Billy; her husband, Jack; her daughter Laura; and son-in-law, Emile Houle. Surviving family members are daughter Linda Catlin Houle and son-in-law, Jeff Davis.
Thanks go out to all her caregivers in her last months, including Melinda, Janet, Rebecca, and the caregivers from Texas Home Care Partners.
"Alma, because we knew you, we have been changed for good."
The funeral service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 20th of September, at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, 6221 Main Street in Houston, where the Rev. Neil Willard, Rector, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at the church.
The interment service is be conducted at half-past three o'clock in the afternoon at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, 6221 Main St., Houston, TX 77030.