Obituary of Helen Irene Morrow
Helen Irene Morrow, born May 17, 1928 to Clifford and Laura Quinn, died peacefully on January 12, 2023 in Houston, Texas.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Laura Quin, her husband, Ford John, her sons, Kenneth, Peter, and Jeffery, daughter in law, Linda Turner Wilson, and her sisters, Dotty Krengle and Marie McNamara.
She is survived by her sons, David , Greg and daughter in law, Cecilia; her grandson, Michael Morrow (Ashley), granddaughter, Deborah Flores (Brian), and Jenny Luckock (Ben); great-grandchildren, Kira, Aubrey, Gavin, Ava, Emery, Adelyn, Benjamin, and Abigail; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Irene was a graduate of Incarnate Word Academy in Houston, and began her working career at Shell Oil Company. She married Ford in 1951 and they started a family together in Houston, Texas.
After Ford's unexpected death in 1978, Irene began to work as a preschool teacher at Southwest preschool in Houston, and then the Lois Harmon day school, she taught for many years and eventually retired. She touched countless lives through her work as a preschool teacher, and was beloved by her coworkers and parents of students.
In 1978, Irene purchased a lot on Lake Livingston, Pinwah Pines subdivision. A lake house was built, and so began lake life for her sons, nieces, nephews, and eventually for her grandchildren. Countless days have been spent swimming, fishing, boating, on the lake; and the house provided the venue for millions of hearts, spades, crazy 8 and Uno card games. There is no way to count the number of bbq dinners, sandwiches, breakfasts, glasses of wine, strawberry daiquiri’s, and cocktails that were consumed at the Morrow lake house. Coffee prepared in percolators was a must, and the number of blenders ruined by her nieces and nephews is almost shameful. Her favorite pastime was sitting on the lake house porch watching the lake, and enjoying the view. Her loving neighbors would actually trim their own bushes and trees so that her view was not obstructed. Lake life will continue!!
Along with enjoying time at Lake Livingston, Irene and her immediate family enjoyed vacations to New Braunfels and Rockport. Having a schedule was always important to her older two sons, but not always followed by the rest of the family. Watching the family fish off the pier at rock port, eating at the Duck Inn, or Alice Fay’s was a must. A shopping trip at treasure islander was always a priority. More than once the Morrow’s spent Thanksgiving in Rockport. Visiting Jeffrey in New Braunfels was always a good time. Eating good german food, cold beer and attending Wurstfest lots of good memories were made. With the help of a raft, she even made a trip down the Guadalupe River.
Irene loved her yard, both at the lake house and on Oboe drive. She and both her sisters had green thumbs, and it was evident by their yards and pot plants. She passed that trait on to her sons as well. Perusing local nurseries at the lake was always an outing both she and her sisters enjoyed. They all were able to root and grow plants that had originated at the farm that their parents had managed off of old Almeda road.
Laughter was prevalent during any family get together. Irene would laugh until she cried and could not speak. At any given dinner out, or at barbeques at Greg and Cecilia’s cutting up was a priority and so many good times were enjoyed.
Irene never met a stranger. She was always there for her loved ones. She had a huge heart, and would do anything and everything to help out in any way that was needed. To say that she will be missed is an understatement. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews.
At the end of any phone call she always ended the conversation with always know Irene loves you… Today, always know how much we love you Irene.
A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a celebration of the funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Wednseday, January 18, 2023 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 9900 Stella Link, in Houston, Texas.
The Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Westheimer cemetery in Houston, Texas.