Marian Nanette Howell

1945 - 2015

Marian Nanette Howell, 70, passed away early Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, at a local hospice. Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Friday in Greenwood Chapel. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood. Marian was born Jan. 2, 1945, to Barbara Bradbury and John S. Howell III, who together with his wife founded Howell Instruments. She spent her formative years in Fort Worth and attended Hockaday School in Dallas. After graduation she spent a year at the University of Arizona and transferred to the University of Arkansas where she met her future husband, Tommy Thomas, and they moved to Dallas with their son, Nathan Bradley Thomas Howell. After their divorce she returned to Fort Worth and completed her degree in art at TCU and continued to pursue her art career that was never fully realized. She later married and divorced Earl Rutledge and had a daughter, Kristen Rutledge Donavan. Marian was considered the "Auntie Mame" of the family and never thought twice about running around town in paint splattered T-shirts, holey sweatpants, penny loafers, dripping in jewels and wearing a full-length mink coat while driving her beloved Jaguar. She loved to travel and lived life grander than most. Wherever she went she left an indelible impression, especially in London during the Queen's Jubilee Celebration. She supported the arts and was known for her fabulous and elegant dinner parties, which she lovingly created for her guests. She hosted a spectacular dinner for the famed ballet dancer, Rudolf Nureyev and Robin Leach. Anything that Marian did she did with gusto, along with a great sense of humor and usually swept through life leaving people with an unforgettable image of a unique individual. During her career she created and raised the funding for "Save the Rainforest" which was responsible for bringing to light the need to preserve our planet's natural resources. President Reagan recognized her for her endeavors during a visit to the White House. Survivors: Son, Nathan Bradley Thomas Howell; daughter, Kristin Rutledge Donavan; grandchildren, Isabela Jackson and Brayden Jackson; sister, Susan Howell Irvin; nieces, Jennifer Collison and husband, Jeff, and Amanda Irvin; nephews, 1st Sgt. David A. Irvin and wife, Angel, and Grant Irvin; great-nieces, Sasha and Grace Collison, Trooper and McKayla Irvin; brother, John S. Howell IV; nieces, Ashley Howell Maynard, Megan Howell Mosley and Elizabeth Howell; great-niece, Isabella Maynard; brother, William R. Howell and wife, Katherine; and nephews, William, Bo and John Patrick Howell.