Marsha Delia Morthland
With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for her beautiful life, we announce that Marsha Delia Morthland (née Barbe) passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, in Houston, Texas at the age of 88.
Marsha was born in Dos Palos, California, and grew up in San Jose. She went to Notre Dame High School and later studied at the convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont, California. She loved sharing her faith and worked as a teacher at several California Catholic schools until January 1961. Upon leaving the convent, she worked as an HMR Union Insurance Adjuster, where she met the love of her life, then-Captain Samuel Morthland.
They married in 1963 and would have celebrated 63 years of marriage next month. As a proud military wife, she supported her husband through eight moves over 19 years, including moves from coast to coast and one that lasted just 10 months. She survived a one-year separation while he served in the Vietnam War and faithfully supported him as he rose to the rank of Colonel. No matter where they moved, Marsha made a warm, faith-filled home for her family. They eventually settled in Houston, where she worked as a successful Realtor in the 1990s with Barbara McCarver Realty, earning an award as a Million Dollar Seller.
Marsha’s true life’s work was her ministry, fueled by an unwavering dedication to her Catholic faith and a lifelong devotion to the Blessed Mother. A profound highlight of her faith journey was a spiritual pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare in Assisi, and St. Peter’s in Rome, where she was deeply blessed to see Pope John Paul II. Guided by her deep love for Jesus, she traveled the United States as a vibrant leader and speaker, sharing her message at national conferences and events from Notre Dame to Washington, D.C. Closer to home, she poured her heart into the Houston community, teaching at the Catholic Charismatic Center and leading the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Seminar for over 12 years. Her voice reached even further when she hosted her very own national radio program on Radio Maria, blessing listeners across the country. In 2013, she turned her focus entirely to her home parish at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Clear Lake, where she loved leading the prayer group and teaching classes. She remained a faithful guide to the very end, hosting her final prayer group right in her living room on August 26, 2026, just a week before she passed away.
To know Marsha was to know joy. She was always cheerful, positive, and loved a good conversation. Whenever she wanted to speak, she would playfully tease her family by asking, “Are you done? Or I want to talk now!”
Marsha is survived by her devoted husband, Colonel Samuel Morthland; Amy, their cat; her three children, Samuel Patrick & (Michele) Morthland, Ann Marie & (Andy) Engelbrecht, and Catherine Rose & (Kary) Tankink; her sister, Ceila & (Paul) Cravey; and her brother, Thomas Fleming. She leaves behind seven loving grandchildren: Amber, Richard, Theresa, Matthew, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Margaret. She is now happily reunited in Heaven with her parents and her other siblings who passed away before her.
Funeral services will include a Visitation on Tuesday, September 15th at 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. at the Crowder Funeral Home in Webster, TX. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, September 16th at 10:30 a.m. with a Eulogy starting at 10:15 a.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Clear Lake City, TX. The Mass will be streamed online, and the link will be available on her obituary webpage that morning. Her interment at the Houston National Cemetery will occur at a later date to be determined.
To send sympathy tributes to the Rosary, Mass, or interment, please call our family business, Sprout Fine Floral Concepts, www.allaboutsprout.com owned by Sam & Marsha’s daughter. Ann Marie will design each presentation with love and tender care.
Marsha has been a wonderful spiritual mother to so many, including myself. I love you and miss you dear friend. Having entered eternal life with our Lord Jesus and His saints, I rejoice that you have finished the race and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4(7-8). You will be remembered always. With love and gratitude to the Morthland Family for their endless generosity and hospitality.
Proverbs 31
25
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and laughs at the days to come.
26
She opens her mouth in wisdom;
kindly instruction is on her tongue.
Dear Marsha was an advocate of First Friday and First Saturday devotions and taught us these devotions. I feel she is celebrated these in her sub conscience and heart and that her death on these days would have distracted us. Marsha died later in the day on the First Saturday of September. In honor of Marsha let us make these two devotions each month, year after year.
I was reading scripture as Marsha taught us to do in our prayer group. She said to get closer to God read at least 15mins scripture each day. As I was reading this scripture reminded me of Marsha. “Do not grieve,for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”Nehemiah 8:10. In our HSF prayer group she would sing this as we praised God. “THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STENGTH!” with hands raised. Marsha was a great teacher singing and praising our Lord. I am going to miss her stories her teachings she had so much to offer. Her love for our Lord was contagious she help bring me closer to our Lord. Thank you Marsha. I know that you are with our Lord and praising Him with your hands raised. How wonderful that must be!
Praying for Sam and the family. Peace be with you all. Amen!
Marsha helped me with spiritual direction, knowledge of the Bible, and understanding and practicing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. She always stressed the importance of praise and spending time listening for God’s response. She loved the song ‘The River is here!’ … The river of God sets our feet a-dancing, the river of God fills our hearts with cheer, the river of God fills our mouths with laughter, and we rejoice FOR THE RIVER IS HERE! I’m sure she’s experiencing the Holy Sprit and eternal life right now!
God bless you Marsha, I’m hoping you meet my mum Sheila, she’s another strong woman who knew what she believed and always spoke about it! She’ll be pleased I met you! It was a blessing to know you and be loved by you!
Thank you to all for your kind remembrances of my mother. It was lovely to visit with many of her friends & neighbors at the vigil & services. I know she would have been moved with your heartfelt love and sweet sympathy towards our family.
With appreciation & on behalf of our entire family
Ann Marie Engelbrecht
Ann—
Your mother was a friend to my Church, Gloria Dei Lutheran too. Please know that many here will miss her and are praying for your family. May God grant you his comfort and peace during this sad time.
The Prayer or Ministry Of Gloria Dei