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Marietta Marich
1930 - 2017
Marietta Marich
1930 - 2017
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1930
DIED
2017
Marietta Marich Obituary
1930-2017
Pioneer of Houston Theatre and television legend and beauty Marietta Marich passed away on September 28 at Memorial Hermann Hospital. After surviving four surgeries in five days and after a valiant fight, she succumbed to complications stemming from an aortic dissection.
She is well known for her hit show on KPRC "Midnight With Marietta" lasting years, presenting music by Paul Schmitt and his band with Marietta's vocals and a sophisticated group of guests each evening conversing on many current subjects. An avid reader she could cover most subjects with great intelligence and incomparable wit. She and her husband Bob were some of the first people to help KPRC on the air.
She sang with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, had success in Los Angeles and came to Houston where she met husband Bob. She was a mainstay on Houston stages in numerous plays and musicals.
She and Bob created the Houston Theatre Center and produced and played in many productions giving many young actors a boost up not only by directing them but also mentoring. Some of the actors she gave a start to are JoBeth Williams, Dennis Quaid, Tracy Shayne, K.T. Oslin and Brett Cullen.
Cast as Miss Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the Tower Theatre in 1979 directed by Peter Masterson and Tommy Tune, her last performance on stage was six-and-a-half months ago in Outside Mullingar with her daughter Allison at the Queensbury Theatre.
Film audiences know her from performances in Clint Eastwood's Stars Fell on Henrietta/Leap of Faith with Steve Martin/ Full Moon In Blue Water/Texas Chainsaw Massacre/Courtship/A Perfect World with Kevin Costner/Faith/Rushmore/Picnic with Mary Steenbergen and Josh Brolin as well as co-starring roles with Jennifer Aniston, Bill Murray and Sally Field.
The entire Marich family are actors, a Houston Royal Family of the Theatre. She was predeceased by her husband of many years Bob (Robert) and son Michael. She is survived by daughter Allison Marich and grandchildren Skyler and Spencer Marich and many relatives.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church of Houston in the Founder's Room, 10221 Ella Lee Lane, Houston, Texas 77042 on Saturday, October 7 at 10 AM
A celebration memorial will be announced in the near future.
Marietta loved flowers and with her dry wit often said, "in lieu of donations, please send flowers." She would of course also request that any contributions in her memory be sent to the Alley Theatre Recovery effort.
Alley Theatre Development Department * 615 Texas Avenue * Houston, Texas 77002 or to support the Queensbury Theater *12777 Queensbury Ln, * Houston, TX 77024.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Allison Marich
September 28, 2023
Ms. Karr,
If you are reading this, I cannot tell you how much your words mean to me regarding ...Mullingar. I almost was not able to do that play with my mother due to scheduling conflicts but am so grateful that it worked out as that was her final performance. She passed 7 months later, very unexpectedly. That play is one of my favorites as well. It has so much humor and heart! And I will cherish that memory with my "Mam" forever. She would be so pleased that the play brought you so much joy!
Marilyn Karr
September 28, 2023
"Outside Mullingar" at the Queensbury remains one of my all-time Top Ten Plays that I've ever seen.
Allison Marich
September 28, 2023
Dearest Mom,
Today marks 6 years since your passing. How I wish you were here to advise and guide. Whenever I am facing a great challenge, I ask, " What would Mom do?" I love and miss you more now than ever. "Not a Day Goes By"
Allison Marich
April 6, 2023
Yesterday you would have turned 92. I miss you and love you Mom.
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Allison Marich
September 28, 2022
Dearest Mom,
I'm thinking of you and so wishing you were here to advise and guide me in so many ways. It is the 5th anniversary of your passing. I cannot believe that. You and Dady would be so proud of the kids. Spencer is excelling in Computer Science and Engineering and Skyler is celebrating her first show with Stratford Playhouse! She is on Crew so she carries on the legacy, more specifically, that of Grandpa and Mamaw! We love you and miss you so much it hurts!
Allison Marich
May 8, 2022
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. This is a really rough one for me today. I love you and miss you.
Allison Marich
April 7, 2022
Dearest Mother,
I'm late saying Happy Bday. It was 2 days ago, April 5th. The kids are turning 14 soon and starting high school! I wish Daddy and you were here to witness all of their accomplishments! By now, you've welcomed Aunt Joyce and I'm sure you two are getting into all kinds of trouble up there! I miss you! So many times, I've needed your advice. But most of all, I just want to hold you. I love you.
Allison Marich
September 28, 2020
Mom,
I can't believe that today marks three years since you passed away. There is a part of me that still is and always will be in denial about it . I spent some time over the last few weeks singing at a friend's house while he accompanied me on piano. I hadn't sung in a long time and it felt so healing and so nourishing to my spirit. I had not been having dreams about you or Daddy and since I've been singing again, I've had two very vivid and funny dreams with Daddy and you in them with me! Thank you for the visit and I look forward to more!!! I love you, Mom. Give a kiss to Daddy and Michael!
Steve Epstein
August 21, 2020
I was just thinking about you and how I should call you. I'm very sorry I'm a bit late.
Allison Marich
April 5, 2020
Thinking of you on your birthday, Mom. It hurts so much to not be able to watch you blow out your candles. I love you! Alli
Allison Marich
December 17, 2019
Dearest Mommy,
It's been over two years since you left this planet. I feel lost without you.
It is so very hard to face the day sometimes but I hope to make you proud of Spencer, Skyler and me. Spencer is quite the mathematician and computer whiz and we may have another actress in the family. Skyler's innate sense for develiping a character is quite startling; and what an ear she has for dialects. Daddy would also be proud of her comedy timing. I only wish he were here to teach her the " Bob Marich take!" She says she wants to be a heart surgeon so she can improve treatment for aortic dissection. The doctor route sounds good to me! We are taking great care of Scamper. He's spoiled rotten. He rides in the car with me almost everywhere these day and is my trusty co-pilot!
We love you. Give a kiss to Daddy. Michael and Mamaw.
I miss the love, the laughs, the fights! I miss it all!
Allison
Marin Matesic
July 30, 2019
Dear Marietta,
Today I told my friends about our Christmas Eve encounter back in 2004 in Santa Monica. After telling them how unusual circumstances where why we met and how I ended up at your place for a dinner I browsed the internet and just found you passed away almost two years ago. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, generosity and for enriching my life. Allison, my deepest condolences, Marin
Skyler Marich
June 12, 2019
Dear Mimi,
I love you and I miss you. I wish you were still here. I miss you telling me stories at night, giving me kisses in the morning, and always loving me even when I did something wrong. I am so sorry for any fight we ever had, every argument, and times when I wouldn't do what you asked. Now I understand the saying "You never miss it until you lose it." I miss you, but I haven't lost you. You will always have a safe place in my heart.
Your loving granddaughter,
Skyler Marich
Skyler Marich
June 12, 2019
I love her and miss her very much. She is my grandmother and it is no exaggeration to say that she was one of the greatest people alive. I honor her and miss her. I wish she was still with us. I love you, Mimi.
Chris Gerniottis
December 12, 2018
Bob and Marietta were the most kind bosses a person could ever ask for (I worked for them in the 1970s at Marietta's Dinner Theater). Wonderful memories. Marietta was a class act in all categories. Allison - my deepest sympathies.
Linda Salmon
November 3, 2018
Dear Allison, I only found out just now about your Mom's passing and I know just how you feel as I just lost mine this July. I miss your visits and our talks and would love to hear from you. Please call me at 713-898-5658 when you can. Sincerely, Linda Salmon
Marilyn Karr
September 29, 2018
Dear Allison,
Her fans miss her too. So many times during this past year, I have felt so fortunate that I was able to see her memorable farewell performance in that exquisitely beautiful "Outside Mullingar" at the Queensbury. I'm happy for you that you were able to share that stage with her.
Allison Marich
September 27, 2018
Mommy,
Tomorrow, Sept. 28th, 2018, marks the one year anniversary of your death and I still cannot accept that you're gone.
You were bigger than life and tbe epitome of the expression, " a force of nature."
Spencer, Skyler and I miss you and I will strive every day to make you proud of us!
I ache to be with you and laugh and talk.
I love you, Mommy!
Allison
Marilyn Karr
October 25, 2017
Dear Allison,
I feel so fortunate to have have seen you and your mother together in "Outside Mullingar" at Queensbury. Watching one of the Grand Ladies of Theater was so memorable. I can only imagine how fulfilling it must have been for you to have performed along side your mother in what turned out to be her farewell performance. The two of you plus Ron Jones were proof-positive that the stars were in perfect alignment. You have some mighty big shoes to step into but I know you have been well-prepared. My sincere condolences. May she rest in peace.
Verna Noack
October 5, 2017
As a young girl, I was captivated by Marietta's beautiful voice, gracious manner and felt as though I knew her through her television personality. Visiting their theater was a real treat for me as a young adult. I am grateful for all she added to the city I grew up in.
Colleen Kitowski
October 5, 2017
Dear Allison,
Words cannot convey my deepest sorrow at the news of your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Skyler and Spencer during this most difficult time. May you find comfort in your memories of Marietta who was such a legendary and gifted artist, mother and grandmother. Her theatrical legacy will last forever, and remind us all that one of Houstons brightest stars has left a footprint on our minds and heart and we will never ever be the same.
Colleen Kitowski
Bill Bremer
October 4, 2017
I had a wonderful time visiting with Bob and Marietta a few years ago. The enthusiasm with which they shared memories of their time together at KPRC-TV remains with me still.
As a married couple working together at KPRC, my wife and I always felt a special connection with them.
Bill Bremer and Pat Schwab
Penny Gustafson Hollingshead
October 4, 2017
Dear Allison,
Please accept my sincerest regrets for the loss of your mother. We lived in BGP for years and my son and Michael were running buddies for a while. Wishing you strength and peace at this difficult time.
October 4, 2017
Dear Allison and kids,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and grandmother.
May she rest in peace.
Anna La Perna
A Chronicle Reader
October 4, 2017
To The Memory of Ms. Marietta Marich
Though I was a child I remember Ms. Marietta & Her Impact on the success of Houston's Art & Cultural Growth.
She wasn't just a Beautiful Person, but Very Compassionate & Loved Houston.
Truly she will be missed, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!!
May all her loved one's be comforted.
John 11: 23-25
Pat LaSalle
October 4, 2017
Dear Allison,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of your Mother. It was an honor to have known such a great person, and we will truly miss her. She was one of a kind and a very special talent on so many levels. Being a part of the dinner theater group was an experience I will always cherish, as I learned from the best!
Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Pat LaSalle
October 4, 2017
May the God of all comfort give you the strength to endure during this time of your loss.
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