Margaret Houston

May 15, 1933 to September 16, 2024 Margaret Mary Hojnacki Houston passed away at 91. Born in Detroit, Michigan on May 15, 1933 to Frank Hojnacki and Irene Hojnacki (Lukaszewski), Margaret was the eldest of two children, she had one brother Robert Joseph Hojnacki (deceased). Margaret graduated from Dominican High School, Class of 1951. Margaret met the love of her life, Ralph Houston in their childhood neighborhood, and they were married on August 22, 1953, at Saint Bartholamew’s in Detroit. Their love story was one for the ages, lasting over 43 years. Ralph passed away at almost 64 on November 15, 1996. Their union produced four beloved children: Linda Marie Vincil, Mark Houston (deceased), Barbara Marie Heidel, and Robert Roy Houston. In addition to building their family, Margaret and Ralph constructed three homes together, brick by brick. Their first was on Catalpa in Southfield, their second on Garland in Shelby Twp, and the third the family’s cabin in Leroy, Michigan which is still enjoyed by their family. Margaret welcomed, and deeply loved her children’s spouses Mike Vincil, Mary Houston, Chris Heidel, and Melissa Houston. Margaret was the Grandma everyone wished was theirs. She adored all her grandchildren, Amber Weiler, Katie Houston, Alex Houston, Mackenzie Houston, Robert Heidel, Elizabeth Heidel, Jensen Houston, Leigha Houston (deceased), and Angus Houston. One of Margaret’s favorite things to do was taking her grandkids on adventures, which invariably included mishaps and laughter. Gramma and Grandpa followed their grandkids’ activities and were spectators at every event possible. Margaret is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Roy and Alice Houston and their family, sister-in-law Shirley Hojnacki, niece Elisabeth Larson, grandchildren’s spouses Adam Weiler, Kevin D’Arco, Tracey Houston, and Danielle Heidel who she loved like her own, and great grandchildren Waylon and Rowan Vincil-Weiler, Mark and Samual Houston-D’Arco, Ella and Harrison Houston, and Josie Margaret Heidel. Her loving family was her greatest accomplishment and joy. Throughout her life Margaret was many things, including soda jerk, assistant in a doctor’s office (where she learned everything from first aid to how to do surgery), furniture salesperson, real estate salesperson, and crossing guard. Her very favorite career though, was driving school bus for Utica Community Schools, where she found so many dear friends. Over the years she was frequently be found volunteering for Eisenhower Athletic Boosters, Adult Literacy, the Shelby Township Library, Special Olympics, and most recently Meals on Wheels. Margaret loved Detroit, and she and Ralph were long time volunteers at the Detroit Thanksgiving Parade where she sewed costumes, painted floats, and walked in the parade. She loved the Zoo, Greenfield Village, Belle Isle, all the theaters, Eastern Market, the Tigers. She loved art, books, movies, playing games, being outdoors, and good food. Margaret was the person who inspired the phrase BFF, and she had countless numbers of them. Margaret found friends everywhere and throughout her life, from growing up on Quinn Street until living at Story Point. When she placed her embrace of love and friendship around you, she never let you go. In addition to being incredibly caring and loving, Margaret was generous, tough, no nonsense, bold, naughty, courageous, funny, irreverent, smart and resourceful. A Celebration of Margaret’s life will be held on October 6, 2024, from 1 pm to 5 pm, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 7542 Palms Road, Algonac Michigan. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Margaret’s passion and love for literacy as well as people with special needs, the family asks that you contribute instead to either the Friends of the Shelby Township Library, or the Arc of Manistee County. Friends of the Shelby Township Library 56210 Van Dyke Avenue Shelby Township, Michigan 48316 The Arc of Manistee County Post Office Box 545 Manistee, Michigan 49660