Marilyn Branda Wood

Marilyn Branda Wood

1926 - 2021

Marilyn Coughlin Branda Wood died peacefully surrounded by her children on Sunday, the 17th of October 2021, in Houston, Texas. Born in Galveston, Texas on the 14th of October 1926, to Eugene (Gene) John Coughlin and Celeste Marie Ott Coughlin, Marilyn was the adored and often teased little sister of her older brothers, Pat, Barney, Larry, and Donald. The Coughlin home was always filled with the aroma of Celeste's delicious food, beautiful music, and wonderful conversation. Marilyn's father was the choir director at Sacred Heart Cathedral which no doubt led to the family's love of music. Marilyn studied piano with her aunts, Reverend Mother Ignatius (Aunt Lottie) and Sr M. Agnes (Aunt Lola) at Ursuline Convent.

After graduating from Ursuline Academy, Marilyn attended The University of Texas at Austin where she majored in music with an emphasis in piano. At UT, she was involved in numerous clubs, The Newman Center, and was tapped to be an Orange Jacket. At The Newman Center, Marilyn met the love of her life, Floyd Carmel Branda.

After marrying in January 1949, Marilyn and Floyd began their married life in Galveston where their first two children, Carolyn and Jim, were born. The young family moved to Houston when Floyd began his insurance career. Over the years, six more children, Brian, Michael, Terri, Susan, Tom, and Ellen, joined the family.

The Branda family's life centered around the Catholic Church. As the family grew, homes and parishes changed from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to St. Vincent de Paul and, ultimately, to St. Cecilia where Marilyn has been a parishioner since 1962.

When Floyd died in 1969, Marilyn embraced the challenge of raising their eight children by herself. Marilyn later began a successful 35-year career in real estate with Madeline O'Brien Realtors. She was very proud of all her children and the fact that they all graduated from college and became successful adults. Marilyn loved hosting large gatherings with music, singing and lively conversation.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, Gene and Celeste, her husband, Floyd, her brothers, Patrick, Lawrence, Donald, Bernard Coughlin, SJ, her daughter, Carolyn Branda and her great-grandchild, Caden Michael Allbright.

She is survived by her children, Jim (Michelle), Brian (Jacque), Michael (Esther), Terri Carter (Ron), Susan Martin (Ron), Tom (Sherry), and Ellen Hamilton (David), 20 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank The Buckingham and their staff for the wonderful and loving care they provided to Marilyn throughout her time with them.

Friends are cordially invited to a gathering and sharing of remembrances with the family from three o'clock until five o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 24th of October, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. The Vigil Prayers will be held at four o'clock.

The memorial mass is to be celebrated at eleven o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 25th of October, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive in Houston. Fr. Francis M. Mcatangy,Pastor, and Deacon David S. Johnson are to serve as celebrants.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward The Charity Guild of Catholic Women, 1203 Lovett Blvd., Houston, Texas 77006 (www.charityguildshop.org); The Newman Circle Endowed Scholarship at the University of St. Thomas, University Advancement, 3800 Montrose, Houston TX 77006 (http://www.stthom.edu/give); or to Gonzaga University, FBO The Coughlin Family Scholarship, Advancement Office, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258