Marie G. Houle

Marie G. Houle, 102, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of love, strength, intelligence, resiliency, and devotion to her family.

Born in Flushing, NY, she was the daughter of Nicholas and Adelaide Marg. She attended Queens College and went on to earn her master's degree in Library Science from the University of Michigan. Her love of learning and knowledge became an important part of her life and career. She worked at Calhoun High School Library before being recruited to establish the library at Kennedy High School in Merrick, NY, where she spent the rest of her career as a librarian.

It was at the University of Michigan that Marie met her future husband James. They were deeply in love and devoted to each other for almost 70 years of marriage until James passed in 2021.

She took great pride in the family she and James built. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy and she loved each of them dearly. She celebrated their successes and believed deeply in their potential. Her spirit, wisdom, and unwavering pride in her family will carry on in the generations she leaves behind.

Even into her 100s, Marie never stopped learning, staying mentally sharp, and taking care of herself. She loved crossword puzzles and could complete them with astonishing speed, often doing several puzzles in a day. She also loved the opera, cooking, reading, and especially loved having fresh flowers.

Marie did not believe that life's hardships were a reason to stop moving forward. During her long life, she lived through the Great Depression, WWII, and her own personal health struggles. She endured the heartbreaking loss of three of her children and her husband. Yet through every hardship, her faith in God and love of family helped her to remain strong, resilient, and determined.

A devout Catholic, Marie's faith was an important part of her life. A long-standing member of the Notre Dame of Bethlehem parish, she believed in the power of prayer and was generous in praying for those in need.

Marie's life was extraordinary not simply because she lived for nearly 103 years, but because of the way she lived those years. She will be profoundly missed and forever loved.

Marie is predeceased by her beloved husband, James, and three of her children: Robert, William, and Peter Houle and her sisters: Millie and Inez. She is survived by her two children, Richard Houle and Anne Akerson, the spouses of her children, eight grandchildren: Adriane, Cathlin, Amanda and husband, Rachel, Nicholas, Andrew and wife, John and wife, Emily; and 2 great grandchildren: Isabelle and Juliette.

Services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, 1861 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018 with a 9:30 am calling period followed by Mass of Christian burial at 10am. Burial will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church.