Marie Minnemeyer Houston

MARIE KING MINNEMEYER HOUSTON, age 84 of Manassas, Virginia died Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at Prince William Hospital, Manassas.. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1923 to Henry W. Minnemeyer III and Gladys King Minnemeyer. Marie and her family soon moved to Washington, PA where she attended East Washington High School. In 1947, Marie graduated from Carnegie Tech, now Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where she studied Drama and Psychology. After graduating from college, Marie went on to New York City to pursue her acting dreams. In just a short amount of time, she was selected to be the understudy for Barbara Bel Geddes in the lead role of the original Broadway production of "Blue Moon". Marie's acting career took a sharp turn in 1952, however, when she married John D. Houston, Jr. and returned to Pittsburgh to begin raising a family. Marie had three sons, John D. III, Henry and Timothy, before moving to Manassas, Virginia in 1964 with her husband and children. Marie held on to her love for the theatre and soon became a founder and co-owner of the Hayloft Dinner Theatre in Manassas. As usual, Marie wanted the best and made sure that her theatre was the only "Actor's Equity" playhouse in the area, entertaining talent from Ray Walston to Maureen O'Hara. Her well known Christmas parties also made front page news in the Manassas Journal Messenger. Marie enjoyed spending summers all of her life at Chatauqua Lake, New York, swimming, sailing and having cocktails on the porch at sunset. Marie tried to convey her style of living to others and founded Evergreen Farm Development with her partners in 1971. This later became Evergreen Country Club, the first upscale 18 hole full service private country club in the area. Marie also very much enjoyed being a member of the Sudley Swim and Tennis Club in Manassas, VA, sticking to mostly sunbathing and entertaining the children. Marie loved life and was kind and helpful to everyone, rich and poor. She was active in the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and local politics. She loved animals. Marie had one cat as child (Smokey), but that was not enough. During her married life, she had 1 more cat (Helmut), 4 dogs (Alfie, Woofer, Samantha and Tony) and treated them all like little kings, including regular weekend trips to her beach house in Virginia Beach. Marie's love of animals also included horses. Marie took great pride in ownership and exhibition of some of the nation's finest show hunters. Marie will always be remembered at those events for her short skirts and counter-culture Schlitz Beer sun hat. Marie is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, John D. Houston, Jr. of Manassas, three sons, John Houston III and wife Jane and their children, John D. Houston and Michael Houston of Gainesville, VA, Henry Houston and wife Doreen of Casanova, VA and Tim Houston of Alexandria, VA. Also survived by John D. II, William A., Roberta and Jeannie Houston, all of Pittsburgh and two cousins, Betty King Unger, of Pittsburgh and Marilyn King Jessen of Virginia Beach, VA. The family will receive friends from 3:00-6:00 P.M. Sunday, January 13, 2008 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas. Interment will be private at Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of flowers, or contributions to City of Manassas Animal Adoption Center, 10039 Dean Drive, Manassas, VA 20110 in memory of Marie Houston. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com.

Marie Minnemeyer Houston

September 27, 1923 - January 8, 2008