Dedicated to the end

Mary Anne Houx was hard-working, direct, smart and completely dedicated to her job right up until the end. I knew, though she would never admit it, that her health was failing her. She just kept working for her constituents.

So many memories of working and knowing Mary Anne have been flooding my mind since learning of her passing. Certainly she and I were two very different people—in age, cultural outlook, political affiliation—but we were also the same in the ways she and I thought important to our jobs: working for a better, safer community. I have a deep well of respect for her, especially her willingness to put aside differences and work positively with many of us.

She could be forceful. You knew if she was bothered by something or someone. She had no tolerance for phoniness and self-promotion and didn’t hide that she didn’t like it.

She did have what some of us called “the Mary Anne voice.” She wasn’t mean, she didn’t yell; she just spoke with a certainty of her beliefs and views and wanted to make sure we knew about it. Many times she would call me, or stride down the hall to my office, and say things like, “Come see me; we need to talk,” or, “You need to be careful about such and such.” If there was business to do, a crisis to handle, a difficult decision to make, she was always front and center.

But, she had a warm side she would rarely share in public that was delightful to those of us who were fortunate to see her in that way. She had a sharp wit and could tell stories that would cause endless giggles.

I would from time to time have unexpected meetings with her as we were out running errands on Saturdays. These were casual days for a lady who always looked impeccably professional. Casual to her was perfectly creased denim pants, polished shoes and a shirt that held the words, “Toto, I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore.” We would share family stories and news of the children we knew. We would gently debate who had the most “golden” niece or nephew or grandchild.

Mary Anne had the gentlest side for all children. Everything about her public persona would melt away when the subject of children, especially those without all the comforts and love of a family, came up. She promoted services, raised funds, created a public trust fund in the name of friend, appeared at events and worked tirelessly and without self-promotion for improved children’s services.

Rest in peace, Mary Anne. You deserve to rest for all you have done for our county.