CHAILLE CAGE KELLY died peacefully in Houston at Kindred Care Hospital on Tuesday, the 9th of February, 2010 after an extended illness. Born in Houston on the 22nd of December 1931, she graduated from Kinkaid Preparatory School and received her BA degree from Wellesley College in 1954. After college she was employed for a number of years at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. She later enjoyed a successful career as a realtor with Madeleine O'Brien Realtors (now Coldwell Banker). She was a member of The Junior League of Houston, The Garden Club of Houston, the Texas Corinthian Yacht Club and St. Anne's Catholic Church. Through these associations she applied her considerable talents and interest in community service, gardening and civic beautification, her religion and sailing. In 1961, she co-authored a book, Sail Ho!, a primer for novice and younger sailors interested in the small Sailfish and Sunfish boats. She was a granddaughter of Roene Masterson Cage, an aunt of Harris Masterson III. As such, she was very familiar with Rienzi, the family home of Harris and Carroll Masterson, which was gifted by them along with furnishings and collections to The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). Following her family and art interests, she served for many years on The Rienzi Committee of MFAH and as its Chairman 2004-08. She is pre-deceased by her parents, Marion Jacob Cage and Elliott Cage Jr., her aunts and uncle Mary Catherine Hutcheson, Chaille Cage Thompson, George DeWitt Jacob Jr. and their spouses. She is survived by her daughter, Marion Kelly Black-Martin, and her husband, Darrin Martin, and by her son, Elliott Cage Kelly, and grandchildren Travis Marion Black and Kelly Brian Black. She is also survived by her sister, Catherine Cage Bruns, and nephew, Michael Masterson Bruns. Also grieving her loss are many cousins a few of whom are Honora Desmond Jacob, Catherine Belt Jacob, Almeria Thompson Cottingham, Helen Thompson Kerr, Frederica Thompson, Mariquita Masterson, Fylma Thompson, Neill T. Masterson III, Clare Masterson Lee, David J. Devine, Isla Reckling and also seven godchildren.A funeral Mass will be held at ten o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 13th of February, at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road in Houston, with the Rev. Thomas B. Mailloux, C.S.B. serving as celebrant.The Rite of committal will follow, via an escorted cortege, at Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Avenue in Houston. Serving as pallbearers at her funeral services are Dr. David J. Braden, David J. Devine, S. Field Emerson, W. Merrill Glasgow, Clifton Iverson Jr., Neill T. Masterson III, George M. O'Leary Jr., Thomas R. Reckling III and Dr. Lee L D. Tuttle Jr. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Rienzi Committee of the Museum of Fine Arts/Houston.Those wishing to make contributions in her memory, might consider The Rienzi Accessions Fund c/o Museum of Fine Arts/Houston P.O. Box 6826, Houston TX 77265; St. Anne's Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098-1496; or the charity of one's choice.
Published in Houston Chronicle on February 11, 2010