Patricia H. Houck

Patricia (Pat) Hance Houck 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 27 in Annapolis, MD, following multiple complications from a fall. Pat was born in Washington D.C to James Albert Hance and Dorothy Dean, on October 3, 1929. The middle child of 3, she grew up in Washington, DC, attending Holy Cross Academy boarding school and spending summers at the family cottage in Bay Ridge Annapolis. 

In 1952, after moving to Tokyo, Japan she married her sweetheart, Henry Hopkins Houck. Henry was stationed in Tokyo during the Korean War and when his service ended, they moved to Greenbelt, Maryland and started their family. In 1961, after outgrowing their row home, they moved to a brand new home in Belair at Bowie, Maryland, where they raised their 8 children. When her last child entered elementary school Pat decided to resume college and earned a degree in secondary education, then a masters in Psychology at Bowie State University. 

In 1978, after several years of teaching high school English and psychology, Pat changed careers and bought a restaurant. For 27 years, Pat owned and ran Gringada Mexican Restaurant in Beltsville, MD. She and Henry also owned La Gringada Restaurants in Bowie and Columbia, MD. 

A frequent traveler, she visited Asia and Africa and ventured to Europe multiple times. Among her many activities, Pat enjoyed Full Moon Meditations with her spiritual friends, singing in Heritage Harbor chorus, boating on the Chesapeake, swimming in Lake Lariat, and dancing with anyone willing to lead. More than anything she loved to spend time with her family and hosted family dinners for any occasion she could think of. 

Pat volunteered with Hospice for 15+ years, and for a time, was a member of Bowie Soroptomists. 

Pat is survived by her sons, Leigh Houck (Cara), Kenneth Houck, (Lisa), Michael Houck, Paul Houck (Allison), David Houck (Linda), and daughters Barbara Houck, and Kristine Rogers (Richard), sisters and brothers in law, Joseph and Debbie Houck, and Mary Theresa and Larry Blakeslee. She is also survived by her 17 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Henry, son, Daniel, her sister, Barbara D Hance and her brother, James A Hance.

The Celebration of Life Repast will be at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Annapolis from 2-4 pm 5/20

We are asking if people could RSVP to this portion and can reach the link by clicking directly on the link: