Obituaries

Mary Jeanne Smith Linzel

Photo of Mary Jeanne Smith Linzel
Mary Jeanne Smith Linzel, 83 of Houston, Texas, died peacefully in her home on August 4th. She was born on April 20, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Arkansas. Jeanne had a zest for life and a competitive nature that served her well in every aspect of her life. An avid Duplicate Bridge champion, Jeanne was admired and sought for her keen skill in the game of Bridge, having achieved a Emerald level certification. She began playing Bridge while in college and continued to play regularly for the next 65 years. She was a member of the Houston Bridge Club of Unit 174, Texas as well as the ACBL. Jeanne also had a love of music. She graduated from Hendrix college in Conway, Arkansas with a degree in Music. Upon moving with her husband to Monroe, La., she taught piano in her home for many years. Many family Christmas mornings were filled with the sounds of Christmas while she and son Michael on piano, son David on bass clarinet, and son Steve on trombone filled their home with music. In addition to playing bridge, Jeanne also loved dancing, flower gardening, murder mysteries, and dogs. There's never been a time in her life when she did not have at least one dog and often two. She said when her first son was born she didn't know how to care for a baby, but she knew how to care for a newborn puppy, so she fed the baby often and he survived. She often referred to her sons as "her litter" of boys. Jeanne had a quick sense of humor and was the life of the party. She loved to entertain friends and family in her home and she was the ultimate Scarlet O'Hara. Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Austin Smith and David Andrew Smith of Camden, Arkansas and her brother, David A. Smith Jr. of Columbus, Georgia. She is survived by three sons: David M. Linzel, Texas, Stephen E. Linzel and wife Judy of Lake Stevens, Wash.; and Michael F. Linzel of Houston, Texas. She has two grandchildren: Shelly Young of Allen, Texas, and Tray Lucero of Houston, Texas. She also has one great granddaughter, Ashley Young of Allen, Texas. The family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. August 6th at Jeanne's home. She will be laid to rest at Memorial Oaks cemetery following a private ceremony. The Linzel family would like to extend their gratitude to Memorial Hermann/Memorial City Hospital and Vitas Hospice for their loving care of Jeanne. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Jeanne's name may be made to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animails - ASPCA.org.

Published August 8, 2015

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