Services for Nancy Jean Mariner will be held in the chapel at St. Martin's Episcopal Church at 717 Sage and Woodway in Houston, Texas 77056 at 3pm on Wednesday September 25, 2013.
Nancy was born to Janet Stetson Mariner and John Melvin Mariner, Sr. on January 18, 1947 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The family moved to Houston, Texas when she was 8 years old. She attended Holy Ghost Catholic School and later Houston public schools. She grew up in Bellaire and Sharpstown and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School.
Nancy worked as a secretary and then devoted her later years to taking care of her mother and best friend Janet. Janet and Nancy shared happy times visiting with friends and family, organizing get-togethers in their backyard and planning outings to Starbucks. Whenever given the chance they would also visit Nancy’s younger sister and her family in Hawaii. Hawaii became such a special place to them.
Nancy was a thoughtful and generous person through and through. She faithfully remembered everyone’s birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. Not one to enjoy the limelight, Nancy shied away from having her picture taken, but for everyone who spoke with her you will remember
a twinkle in her eye. She had a sharp wit and liked to give each of us a ribbing every now and then. She was also not above making jokes at her own expense and had a great sense of humor and lively laugh.
Nancy had an eye for pairing clothes and jewelry. She never met a shimmering item she didn’t like. She was always combining a pretty blouse and a lovely ring or bringing a bright and glistening item to someone who would love it. Her love of this kind of beauty was a reflection of the appreciation she held in her heart for the beautiful things around her. She took time to notice and appreciate the people and things in this, her temporary home on earth.
In her final days she sensed her time was coming near. She was at peace. She was making sure we weren’t sad and didn’t want us to worry. She was thinking of others, faithful friends and family. She was curious about whether it was time to be with her mother again. And she made promises to be a special angel in heaven to us if she could. Again with the signature twinkle in her eye saying, “I’m not sure how, but I think it could be worked out.”
Nancy’s last evening was passed with her sister and brother faithfully serving at her side. They read the book of John and she was enjoying each word, even asking curious questions about passages they would read. It was in these moments she affirmed her faith in Jesus. That same evening she spoke about an open door and needing to pass through it. Peacefully that night, we are confident she made her final steps. She stepped forth into a new place, was healed of her earthly limitations and greeted by a loving mom.
We are grateful for Nancy’s life, we are grateful for her smile. We will strive to carry on her legacy of cherishing moments, living life with humor, and appreciating the beautiful things in life.
As she never forgot us, we will never forget her.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
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