Beverly Jean Maurice

Beverly Jean Taylor Maurice of Houston, Texas died on Friday, November 30, 2018. A fourth generation resident of Houston, she was born February 11, 1926 on her grandmother’s farm in Chula Vista, CA, the only child of Paul Grainger and Eva May Large Taylor. An early sign of her lifelong love of learning, she walked to the neighborhood school and enrolled herself in kindergarten at age four. She later attended Montrose Elementary and Lanier Middle School, graduating from San Jacinto High School. She earned a BA in languages and sciences from Rice Institute in the winter of 1946, having served as a writer on the Rice newspaper, the Thresher, while completing her degree in three and a half years.

Following graduation, Bev moved to Mexico City to attend graduate courses at the University of Mexico, staying on to work as a reporter for the Mexico City Herald until 1948, when family persuaded her to return to Houston. While working as a bilingual secretary in Brown & Root’s aircraft sales division, Bev met local architect Robert Weldon Maurice. They were married by Dean Milton Richardson at Christ Church Cathedral on December 23, 1952. Divorced in 1970, the two remained on friendly terms and went on to share many holiday meals with their later partners and children. As fiancé and newlywed, Beverly taught life science at Lanier Middle School while obtaining her Master of Education, and assisted George Darnielle at Hankamer Oil before joining the Houston Press as their fashion editor in 1955.

Beverly joined the Houston Chronicle in November 1963, writing fashions and winning awards from the Austin Headliners Club in 1967, 1969, and 1972 for her feature stories. The School of Journalism at the University of Missouri read her 1972 prize winning, “The Teen Establishment and invited her to teach a master class. Valued equally or more by many of her readers was her ability to combine fun with the glamor of designer fashion. She wanted them to know they could wear outfits from local stores in keeping with the latest Paris and New York runway styles.

After leaving the Chronicle in 1981, Beverly added Italian to her language list to facilitate her work with George Darneille’s Italian oil company. She worked with cancer researchers in the Medical center, helping them to craft seminar presentations. In 1997, she wrote features about the family members and social scene at the Ryder Cup in Sotogrande, Spain for Houston based publications.

Bev brought her interest and energy to several clubs and organizations including: Sara Lane Society at Rice, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Colonial Dames, XVII Century, Magna Carta Dames and the Heritage Society; Women’s Auxiliary of the Salvation Army of Houston; MFAH, CAM, Czech Center Museum; Houston Symphony and Grand Opera Guilds; and Memorial Garden Club. She also held membership in the University and Houstonian Clubs, and served on the board of Petroleum Club Houston Ladies Auxiliary, writing new member interviews for the club newsletter.

Bev's gift was her genuine fascination with diverse people and locales. The interviewer would come out as she asked varied individuals ranging from Prince Phillip to Fidel Castro, Lady Bird Johnson and Nancy Reagan to Gloria Steinem, even pro wrestler Hercules Hernandez, about their clothing choices and preferred interests. That ability to be captivated by another’s story must have won the heart of her second husband, Robert Grey Hindman, retired Exxon engineer and fellow Rice alumni. The two were married in the courtyard of Brennan's Houston on October 4, 2007 by Dr. Charles Greene. They shared a love of dancing, travel, and events supporting moderate Texas Republicans.

Preceded in death by her parents, and both husbands, she is survived by daughter, Dianne M Maurice and son Robert W. Maurice, II. The family wishes to thank Bev's loving caregivers, most especially Claudia Tenez. Additionally, sincerest thanks is extended to the dedicated staff of the Houstonian and Petroleum Clubs who took extra care to provide access and attention when she visited the clubs.

A memorial service, will be held at two o'clock on Saturday, April 6th at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue in Houston, with reception following. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to The Salvation Army, Child Advocates, The Huffington Center on Aging, Rice University, any organization benefiting wild or domestic animals or the charity of your choice.