Maria Rebecca House

Maria Rebecca House

June 4, 1931 - August 8, 2022

I recall walking into the kitchen one early afternoon to prepare a bottle for my then infant daughter. As I rounded the corner from my bedroom into the dining area I couldn’t help but drop the bottler to the floor as I found my 88 year old abuelita with one foot placed on the counter and the other on a step ladder. She was awkwardly positioned sideways with a power sander going to town on her kitchen backsplash. “Nani, what are you thinking, you don’t need power tools, let me do that ….” She followed with a theatrical story about how she just couldn’t look at the tiles anymore and wanted to change it. For those of you that knew my grandmother, you probably aren’t at all surprised because that is just a small glimpse at the kind of non-stop energizer bunny-like antics she was known for. On Saturday August 6th 2022 the good lord called Maria home. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones.

Maria Rebecca Torres was born June 4th 1931 in Redcliff, Colorado to Josephine Herrera Torres and Daniel Torres Sr. She went on to graduate from Hood River Valley High School in 1949. Then married the late Bruce Wayne Douglas August 28th 1949. They had 4 boys before parting ways in October of 1968. She remarried and was blessed with two bonus children, a daughter and son. Then on March 7th 1988 she married the love of her life Kent E. House which is of course where she took the name most of you know her as and the name that she proudly carried Maria R. House.

Maria loved life and man was she full of it. She made the most of 91 years, that I think we can say proudly. She loved to be creative and artistic, seriously, have you seen the curtains she used to design or had the pleasure of viewing her phenomenal display of Winter Wonderland at Christmas time. She was always busy doing something. Nani also loved fishing, traveling, and spending time with her family, especially her sisters, Virginia and Priscilla. Of everything though, I think she got the greatest pleasure from serving the Lord. For many years she traveled singing Gospel music in churches and at different events. The voice of an angel and the heart of a Saint. When she could no longer travel she continued singing as long as she could at her home congregation, Grace Baptist Church. When that was no longer possible she gave in other ways, bible studies, potlucks, cleaning the church building. She truly loved her family in Christ.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents Josephine and Daniel Torres, two sisters, Pattsy and Virgina, 3 of her brothers; Geno, Ricky, and Daniel, her granddaughter Delyla Dyer, and her loving husband Kent House.

She is survived by her sister Priscilla. Her brother John Torres. Her 5 sons; David Douglas, Toby Douglas, Michael Douglas, Timothy Douglas, and James Dyer and one daughter Raelynn Rosati. Grandchildren; Dena, David, Scotty, Porsche, Anthony, Chantell, Roberto, Jason, Timmy, Michelle, Jemma, Jack, Lillyth, Ashton and Devan as well as many great grandchildren, and a few great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 20th at 10:00 am at Grace Baptist Church and will be followed by a potluck at 12 noon.

A fundraiser has been created to assist with some of the cost for final expenses and proper memorial. You can find it online at gofund.me/f/maria-house-the-matriarch-the-queen

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” - Pericles, Philosopher

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 4:6-7

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