Martha Roane Lacy Howe

Martha Roane Lacy Howe, age 80, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 17, 2023, surrounded by her family, marking the end of an active, productive, and joyful life.

Services will be held Monday, May 22, 2023, beginning with a family graveside service at 12:00 noon at Oakwood Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Leslie King officiating.

Born on January 6, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, to Harriette Woodruff Leachman and Walter Garner Lacy, Jr., she was the eldest grandchild of both the Leachman and Lacy families. Namesake of Martha Roane Cooper, mother of Waco businessman, author, and philanthropist, Madison Cooper (her great uncle), Martha relished her role as the eldest. She continually remained a central force around which her parents, sister and brothers orbited. Growing up in Waco is something Martha was deeply proud of; a legendary storyteller, she kept three generations engrossed and abreast of all the family stories both old and new.

As a young child she attended Waco’s Sanger Elementary and West Junior. With summers spent at her beloved Camp Waldemar, a family tradition that brought her great joy, Martha cherished her years as a devoted member of the Tejas tribe. The Hockaday School in Dallas were formative high school years for Martha where more lifelong friendships and fond memories were made. Upon graduation, she matriculated to Stephens College where she earned a degree in fashion design. Martha attended Baylor University after Stephens College for a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

On June 11, 1966, Martha married the love of her life, Donald Robert Howe, a native of Wyoming currently living in New York. The brief but memorable time living as newlyweds in New York City was a special phase of life she held dear. Martha and Don soon moved to Texas, settling in Dallas to start their family. After ten years there, Martha and Don moved to Waco to raise their children, Donny and Lacy.

Active, intelligent, and talented, Martha, a dedicated mother and community volunteer, used her boundless gifts and her deep love for music to start the Junior League’s Musical Therapy Group, which sang to residents in rest homes. She led the group for thirty years and knew all the great songs and hymns by heart. Martha loved to see how music improved the lives of the elderly, and she also presciently noted, “Someday, this group will be singing to us…” A long-time member of the Thursday Study Club, Martha shared her intellect and her interests in fascinating presentations along with her legendary talent as a hostess.

Martha’s volunteer work reflected her love of Waco and spirit of service and included the Junior League of Waco as active volunteer and Charity Ball Chairman; she was awarded Junior League of Waco Volunteer of the Year, YWCA Board president and director, Waco Performing Arts Hippodrome Theater Board of Directors, Waco Symphony Association Board, American Diabetes Association, Festival on the Brazos (nee Waco Cotton Palace), of which she was general chairman in 1995. She also dedicated her time to Oakwood Cemetery Association Board as president and as a director, board member of Central Texas Senior Ministry Meals on Wheels; founding director of the Taylor Museum of Waco and McLennan County History (nee Helen Marie Taylor Museum); Keep Waco Beautiful; Colonial Dames of America. In Dallas, Martha was on the Hockaday Alumnae board and a founding member of Zale-Lipsey University Hospital. Also, for Baylor University, she served on the board of Brazos Valley Broadcasting Foundation (KWBU public television and radio), in which she was responsible for securing the broadcasting tower that was vital at that time for KWBU’s regional transmission.

A renaissance woman is one description of Martha: she was an excellent cook and an accomplished painter; she was excellent in sewing and tailoring. Martha’s artistic talents have been on full display for forty years in the beautiful exterior and interior design of her family’s home. She relished beauty in all forms and had an in-depth knowledge of and love for trees, flowers, and varieties of plants, working with her husband, Don to maintain a lovely yard and garden.

As a committed, wonderful mother, Martha’s joy in life was reflected in her involvement in her children’s schools, activities, sports, and academic events. Involved and supportive and never overbearing, Martha enjoyed every aspect of her children’s activities.

Martha was also a survivor. She survived a near-death staphylococcus infection that left her with back, neck, and knee problems. She also had Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, known as HHT, a hereditary bleeding disorder which caused daily, and in later years, multiple daily, major nosebleeds. Despite these setbacks, Martha always had a wonderful smile. Martha’s energy and perseverance were not so easily daunted as she quickly adopted the use of a cane and maintained most of her volunteer schedule until the past year.

When family and friends think of Martha, they remember her beautiful eyes and infectious smile, her joy in life and people, and her wonderful sense of humor. Anyone who knew Martha can remember her emphatic, enthusiastic response of, “Cool!” when someone succeeded or had an exciting event to talk about. She was also always ready to offer a kind word to those in need.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Florence Lacy Goudeau and brother, Walter Garner Lacy III, and lifelong family friend, Sherman Steward.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Robert Howe; her son, Donald Robert Howe, Junior; and daughter, Lacy Howe Rieke and husband, Brian Marc Rieke; grandchildren, Donald Robert Howe III, Shepherd Robinson Howe, Mary Lacy Rieke, Helen Garner Rieke, and Carter Brian Rieke. Martha is also survived by her brother, William David Lacy and wife, Nancy, and brother, Thomas Leachman Lacy and wife, Lisa, sister-in-law, Gayle Lacy, as well as a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Martha’s family is grateful for the thoughtful, professional, and compassionate care she received from Charlie Mae Wells, Ella McCoy, Willie Mae Boyette, Elizabeth Miller, and hospice nurses Leslie Marshall and Michelle Small.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the following: HHT Foundation International, Inc. - curehht.org; Alzheimer’s Association – alz.org; Meals on Wheels Waco – www.MOWWaco.org

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.