Marsha Ellen Fredrickson Henshaw
Marsha Ellen Fredrickson Henshaw, of League City, Texas, passed away on May 5, 2026 at the age of 75. She was a cherished mother, wife, grandmother, sister and friend, and her presence will be deeply missed.
Mum attended Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, Texas where she played the French horn in both marching and concert bands. She was a member of the Latin club and the National Honor Society as well. Next, she attended the University of Texas where she received a degree in Textiles, Clothing & Fashion Design. After college she began work as a Home Economist for the White Sewing Machine Company traveling around the U.S. demonstrating Elna sewing machines at trade shows, dealers’ shops, and home ec academies. It was while she was with White that she developed life-long friendships with her coworkers who are fondly known as “the Elna girls”.
Mum married my father Gerry and together, they built a successful business known for honest pricing, exceptional service, and integrity — values Mum insisted upon in both business and life. Their success earned them numerous opportunities to travel the world through industry recognition, but Mum’s greatest achievements were never measured in awards. They were measured in the life she built, the people she loved, and the example she set for everyone around her. She and my dad had a rewarding life filled with travel and shared experiences. Their adventures took them around the United States and across the globe.
Throughout her life, she nurtured a love of sewing and quilting, later expanding her talents into monogramming. This love of sewing led her to a group of like-minded women affectionately known as “The BOBS”. They also shared some incredible travels and sewing retreats which was one of her favorite things to do each year. Golf became another great passion after my Dad introduced her to the game, and through it she also formed some of her closest lifelong friendships.
Those friendships Mum built throughout her life were deep and lasting. Her friends did not merely enjoy her company — they respected and loved her. In difficult times, that love came back to her in abundance. Friends stepped in to help without hesitation, and some traveled across the country just to spend time with her in recent months. The care she gave to others was returned tenfold.
Mum was an adoring and endlessly patient mother. She supported me in every dream I pursued, including a career that eventually took me halfway around the world. Though the distance was difficult, she encouraged me wholeheartedly, wanting me to live a full and adventurous life even when it meant missing each other dearly. I wasn’t always the easiest kid to deal with but her love was selfless in every sense. I’m sure mum would agree I turned out alright.
Mum’s proudest and happiest chapter had only just begun with the recent birth of my little girl- her granddaughter, Luna Rae. Mum had long dreamed of becoming a grandmother, and when Luna arrived, she embraced the role with her whole heart. She poured her love into sewing little dresses and hats. Each photo she received as Luna grew gave her determination to get better. Luna quickly became the center of her world and brought her immense comfort and strength during life’s hardest moments.
Mum was also a loving sister to my aunt Beverly. She introduced Beverly to golf, and what started as a shared interest grew into something much deeper — creating years of memories through sister golf trips, tournaments, and travels to beautiful golfing destinations. Those moments gave them a special bond and brought them even closer over the years. But their connection went far beyond the golf course. When Mum’s health declined and things became more difficult, Aunt Beverly stepped in with incredible love and devotion. She put her own life on hold to care for Mum, standing by her side through some of the hardest moments with patience, strength, and unwavering support. The love and sacrifice she showed Mum is something I will always be deeply grateful for.
Mum also had a deep love for animals, especially dogs. Over three decades, she and my dad shared their home and hearts with four Border Terriers. After the passing of the 4th- their beloved Ruffy- they were heartbroken. Soon after, they were gifted a spirited mixed-terrier stray named Freda by their good friend Brad. Freda quickly became the light of their lives and kept them smiling, laughing, and wonderfully busy.
To know Mum was to experience genuine kindness. She lived with a quiet honesty that became one of her defining traits. She never wanted to inconvenience anyone and was endlessly thoughtful in the way she moved through the world. More importantly, she showed others how to be good simply by being good herself. She led not with loud words, but with consistency, grace, patience, and example. She approached life thoughtfully and carefully. She believed in doing things the right way, not the easy way, and that integrity shaped every part of her life. She leaves behind not only memories, but an enduring example of patience, generosity, humility, and love. Her legacy lives on in the countless people she cared for and inspired.
A celebration of Marsha’s life will be held at 2 o’clock on June 13,2026 at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 E. Main St, League City, Texas with a reception immediately following the service. The family invites all who knew her to attend and share their favorite memories.
To view Tribute Video follow the link below:
To view the livestream ceremony, please click the link below:
My condolences to Tommy, Gerry and Beverly. I miss Marsha and have good memories of our special friendship.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Gerry, Tommy and Beverly. Marsha has been in my thoughts recently as I have been going through many photo albums in which we shared fun trips to Hong Kong, Spain, Switzerland and Canada. We even won first place in Montreal finding all the local spots. We had fun going to the Valero and Houston Golf tournaments and playing golf together. Our last night in Switzerland, we got lost on the trail leaving the Alps and Marsha was seven months pregnant with Tommy. Please give our love to Gerry.
Marsha was a special lady, a good golfer, and a wonderful seamstress. I will miss her and her special smile. Blessings to her family.
I worked with Marsha for many years at White Sewing Machine Co… We just got together as a group of Home Economists during Covid and had zoom calls every month. This was after 40 years… I am so glad we did this so we had time to spend with Marsha… I am so sorry to hear this and have been praying for her and her family for some time now… May she go in Peace.
Marsha and I shared an apartment in Clear Lake while I was attending U of H and she was starting her sewing and fabric business. Many days were spent on our sewing machines making clothes, etc. Her’s were always more professionally done. We took skiing trips together. Marsha was a very special friend and I will miss her terribly.
My heart goes out to Beverly, Tommy and Gerry.
Marsha and I enjoyed playing golf together at Timber Creek Golf Club in Friendswood Texas. I have fond memories of decorating our golf attire at her home for our trip to the Solheim cup and what a great time we had. She was talented and creative and had a gentle and sweet presence about her that I will remember fondly forever.
I have known Marsha since Gerry and Marsha met both professionally and personally. She was a kind and sweet person with a innate sense of fairness when it came to business. I’m so glad I got to know her and will miss her dearly. Thoughts and prayers going out to Gerry, Tommy, Beverly and family.
Marsha and I met in her first shop. We quickly became friends and workmates. We were privileged to share many milestones through the years. She was such a kind and gentle person and our families shared many milestones. I’ll especially will always treasure the brief visits we were able to have recently. She loved her new little granddaughter and shared pictures and was so pleased every time Tommy was able to visit. I will miss her.
So sorry for your loss of someone so dear. I knew Marsha as Beverly’s big sister. She was always sweet and kind to us and she had a wonderful sense of humor. Marsha was super smart and very talented. She and I shared a love for dogs. And we both had a son that we dearly loved. She adored her son Tommy and he brought her so much joy. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dear Tommy and Beverly,
Marsha wa a wonderful college roommate at UT and always a good friend. We shared an apt at zuT for 3 yrs. Once we both had careers and families. Our meetings were infrequent, but she always welcomed me with a bright smile and open arms. She quietly lived and practiced her Cristian faith in the infinite worth of every human being in the way she treated each of us. I truly loved this dear, honest friend.
Tommy’s tribute to her is beautifully written and captures some of the quiet, kind, devoted, hardworking, generous spirit she shared with all of us. It would be impossible to catch the entirety of her essence in words
I’m sorry I didn’t see the tribute and opportunity to post a comment until today. We left Texas for England just 9 days after news of her death. Today, I found it through a Google search and was deeply moved by the words and photos.
Perhaps, I will see Tommy at Westerperk in September.
Sincerely, Charlotte Laughlin