Maefern Houck

Maefern Houck

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Maefern D Houck, 92, of Boyertown died September 1, 2021. Maefern was born October 28, 1928 at the family home in New Berlinville, the youngest of 5 children of Ella and Morris Johnson. Maefern deeply loved the Lord and her family. She was a life-time member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. This is where she married Richard Wayne Houck and where they raised their 6 children: Kathy (Charles); Richard, Jr. (Debbie); Clyde (Deb); Peter (Sandra); Robert; Mary (Francis).

Maefern graduated from Boyertown High School in 1946 and attended the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music (now Curtis Institute). She served as an organist at St John’s and local churches.

Maefern and Richard were the 2nd generation to own and operate Houck Restaurants. As a full partner, Maefern worked in the back office, greeted customers and provided muscle as necessary. They were innovative entrepreneurs with varied business lines including the Boyertown Inn hotel, restaurant, lunch trucks, clam bakes (serving as many as 500 people), sandwich shop, Russian salad dressing, taxi, barbershop and more. After Richard passed in 2004 she continued working with their son Richard, Jr. until retiring in her mid-80’s.

For the majority of the last 60 years, Maefern lived within 3 blocks of her church home. She joyfully dedicated time to Stephen ministry, teaching Sunday School, and serving on the team of telephone greeters. During times of celebration she mentored new members, welcomed confirmands, and prepared palms and Christmas candles. She made it her personal mission to encourage new pastors with her presence and prayer.

Maefern is survived by 23 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren (with one on the way!), and more spiritual sons and daughters than we will ever know. She loved all of you with a heart that celebrated your successes, understood your disappointments, forgave your mistakes, and always – always lifted you in prayer before the Lord.

Music was an important part of Maefern’s life. She was very appreciative of the support of her brother, Ralph, who bought her piano and paid for lessons. In high school she played Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the orchestra and future husband Richard featured on his cornet. At St John’s, Maefern truly appreciated all the musicians – singers and hummers, brass players, bell ringers, guitarists, Saturday at Six percussionists, pianists, organists and any one else who made a joyful noise. Remember Maefern whenever you hear “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Graveside interment will take place on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 11am at Fairview Cemetery in Boyertown. A celebration of life will be held Monday, October 4, 2021 11am at St John’s Lutheran Church. Donations may be made to St John’s Lutheran Church. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.morrellfuneralhomecom ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

 

20 Condolences
  1. The world lost the greatest angel 💖 rest in paradise Maefern always loved and never, never to be forgotten!! You were my second mom and I will always love you for your oh so kind heart and generosity may you fly high with the angels! Prayers to your family and friends 🙏🙏💖💖

  2. So sorry for the loss of this wonderful lady she will be deeply missed. Prayers for the family.

  3. What a truly wonderful lady! Maefern was my prayer warrior through the tough times in my life. She will be greatly missed.

  4. Only Maefern could make death seem like the what I would see in my mind when she would lead prayer in Sunday School. The rejoicing reunion with Dick and Bob was so vivid in her prayers and her hand so strongly held mine as she prayed I never had the chance to meet Dick but I could just imagine an older man similar looking to Clyde, Maefern and Bob embracing in a bright white light. She just liked to remind God sometimes that she was ready for that reunion and we would talk about what God could possibly still have in store for her yet! That would often lead to a chuckle but that was pre pandemic! So she went through a lot; mentoring people through the pandemic, she moved, she recovered from a stroke , fall and more. Her prayers lately have been “can you pray” . I wish it didn’t take her death to remind me of that. My point is that when I heard that she had passed I remembered her prayers and I smiled and thought she’s with them now and as much as I will miss her this was one of her biggest lessons. Always pray ,believe and be faithful.

  5. Very very special lady !!! Only met her one time through her granddaughter Kathy Houck . She took me in as if she had known me all her life . We sit up almost all night talking and playing games . Fell in Love with this family ! She was the sweetest wittiest fun lady I have ever meet . Rest in heaven . Gone but never forgotten!!

  6. Thank you. We think of her as an angel, too, and now she has her wings. Be blessed.

  7. Thank you. Our Mom had so many wonderful friends. She is surely reaching out to all of us. Be blessed.

  8. Thank you. Prayer was certainly one of our Mom’s favorite love languages. Be blessed.

  9. Thank you, Patty. Such a kind reminder of that twinkle in Mom’s eye. Be blessed.

  10. My condolences to her children and extended family. She certainly lived a long and productive life. I remember she would always say she was “truly blessed”.

  11. Maefern would always tell people who asked how she was that she was “Blessed”. She truely was Blessed, and will be missed by all. My condolences and prayers to the family.

  12. So sorry for your loss Marcia, Mr. and Mrs. Houck and family! You were blessed to have her in your lives so long and there is an angel in heaven watching over all of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
    With deepest sympathy,
    Lindsay

  13. Dear Mary, Frank, Brianne, Marissa, and Jay,

    I’m sorry to learn of your loss. What a lovely lady she was to have you as her family. Wishing you comfort, healing, and peace.

    Deb DeConto

  14. I’m so sorry to hear of Maefern’s passing. She was a sweet, loving woman. I am glad to have met her and felt her warmth, albeit many years ago. Love and sympathies to you all.

  15. Thank you, Keith. We all loved that we could count on Mom to remind us that we, too, are blessed. She would want us to say that You Are Blessed!

  16. Thank you, Cindy. Mom’s simple reply to ‘How are you?’ was just one of the many ways she shared her faith. We wonder if she realized the impact she had? Be blessed!

  17. Thank you, Lindsay. We certainly felt that Mom was an angel on earth, and now she has her wings. Be blessed!

  18. Thank you, Deb. We have so many warm and wonderful memories of Mom, and that does bring us much comfort. Be blessed.

  19. Thank you, Bridget. Your memory of our Mom as a warm person is how she lived her entire life. Thanks for sharing. Be blessed.

  20. Maefern was a lovely lady. Sincerest condolences to her family.

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