Surrounded by her loving family, Marie Catherine Houghton passed away peacefully at age 88 on Monday, December 3, 2012.

Born in Philadelphia, Marie was predeceased by her son, John; her parents, Anna Marie McCallan and Nelson Smith; and her brothers Nelson, Thomas, and Joseph.

Marie is survived by her husband of 63 years, John J.; her children, Kathleen, of Wilmington, Nancy and Thom Lynch of Hockessin, Michael and Leigh of Hockessin, with whom she lived, Ann Marie and Cliff Dempsey of Hockessin; nine grandchildren, Joel Houghton and his wife, Shana, and son, Lucas, Sarah Houghton, Andrew Houghton, Elizabeth Dempsey, Emily Houghton, Emma, Allison, and Mallory Lynch, and Christopher Dempsey; and her sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Jim Belzer, of Swedesboro, New Jersey.
Visitation will take place at St. Elizabeth Church, Cedar and South Clayton Streets, Wilmington, on Thursday, December 6, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Marie to Saint Elizabeth High School, 1500 Cedar Street, Wilmington, DE, 19805, or to Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE, 19810
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Matthew Burday for his compassion and concern and to the staffs of Delaware Hospice and Comfort Keepers for their excellent care.