Maurine Alfrey

1932 - 2025

Maurine Alfrey
10/11/1932 - 06/24/2025
The world is not as bright or blessed today as we announce the peaceful passing of our sweet mother Maurine Linquist Alfrey on June 24, 2025. She was surrounded by family.

She was born Elizabeth Maurine Linquist on October 11, 1932, in Pampa, Gray County, Texas. As she'd say, "I wasn't born in Louisiana, but I got there as fast as I could." She was the daughter of Forrest James Linquist and Izora Gertrude Alexander and the granddaughter of Dr. Albert Davidson Alexander and Alma Wooley Alexander of Mer Rouge, Louisiana and H. Maurice Lindquist and Betty Muson Lindquist of Kane, Pennsylvania. She was the sister of Alma Jean Linquist (Mrs. David F Pobst, Jr.).

Maurine grew up in Monroe, Louisiana. She was Neville High School's Homecoming Queen. She graduated from Louisiana State University where she was a member of social sorority Pi Beta Phi, honor scholastic fraternities Phi Kappa Phi, Mu Sigma Rho and Kappa Delta Pi, as well as Co-ed Vice President of the Student Body. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Houston Chapter having been named after a distant relative.

Maurine met and married the love of her life Dr. Clarence P. Alfrey, Jr. in Houston, Texas. For almost 60 years they shared their lives and loved each other deeply until his passing in 2013. Her children are Heidi Alexander Alfrey, Holly Varnell Alfrey, Tami Alfrey Grubb, and Curtis Clarence Alfrey. She cherished her grandchildren Samantha Grubb, William Grubb, Quintin Van Dyk, Eliza Van Dyk, Sophia Alfrey and Camden Alfrey. She also loved their many Labrador Retrievers and other furry friends.

Maurine and Clarence explored the world, following the road less travelled. They met indigenous island tribes, scuba-dived, sailed, hiked and made life-long friends abroad. They lived in Ansbach, Germany and travelled all over Europe. Closer to home, they refurbished an old school bus into an RV…the Jolly Green Giant…and took their kids from sea to shining sea. They read C.S. Lewis and played password and strengthened the family they loved so dearly with each mile.

She was all but inflexible when it came to her exercise routine. She spent a significant portion of her adult life working out and playing tennis at Memorial Forest and the Houstonian. She kept herself in extraordinary shape. She got injured while kickboxing at age 84. She worked out with her PT trainer at home until she was enrolled in hospice care.

Her faith in the Lord was her strength. She had a lifelong devotion to volunteering and held many such positions. For years she gave her time to her beloved St. Martin's Episcopal Church. She was on the board of their Preschool and enjoyed her experiences there as a docent, serving as their Director for two years. She and Clarence helped found and were on the Advisory Board of the Health Museum. Also, for many years she helped and was on the Advisory Board at the Ronald McDonald house inside Texas Children's Hospital. She would sit in the volunteer room and talk with the parents and relatives of children suffering with cancer. She met with the children. She would come back so inspired, feeling fortunate that she could give to those in need.

Maurine was a teacher and a Principal. She was a leader. During her 20 years there, she took Holy Spirit Episcopal Church School from a Preschool and grew it through the 5th grade.

If you spent any time with her, you would know how often she complemented people, even strangers in an elevator, on something they were wearing or their hair. She said that people go to the trouble of picking out something to wear that they like and think will look good on them. If you let them know you like it too, it makes them feel good. That's how she was, seeking opportunities to commit random acts of kindness.

Maurine regularly fished at their Galveston house and always caught the most. She loved her antiques and family history. She had impeccable manners and grammar, skills she worked hard to teach her children and grandchildren. She was a loyal friend and enjoyed many lifelong relationships. She was kind, generous and had an engaging smile. She cheered, "Geaux Tigers!" She did the Chicken Dance at Wurstfest. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She danced and sang and loved her friends, new and old. And, as Clarence would say, she "enjoyed some white wine with her cup of ice".

Maurine's children would like to especially thank her caregivers who were with her 24/7 through her end-of-life transitions. She was never alone and always loved, and we thank them with all our hearts. Olu, Jackie, Miya, Hebron, Yvonne and others. We also sincerely thank Dr. Martin White, Clarence's student and Maurine's long-time physician.

A service in her honor and celebration of a life well-lived will be held on September 19, 2025, at 2 p.m. at St. Martin's Episcopal Church located at 717 Sage Road, Houston, Texas, 77056, followed by a reception on the Church property.

Everyone is also invited to a dinner celebration around 6:00pm that evening at Sylvia's, where Maurine loved to eat. Sylvia's is located at 6401 Woodway, Houston, 77057.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Ronald McDonald House Houston, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Louisiana State University, Rice University, and Baylor College of Medicine.