Marian Houser

STEUBENVILLE — Whether she was helping a member of her family, preparing to craft a column, mentoring a young reporter, serving as a board member for a local nonprofit, laughing with or comforting a friend, participating in an event or opening pathways for women in the news industry, Marian Houser played a vital role at the Herald-Star and in our community for decades.

“Her circle of influence contributed to a positive culture of unity and achievement in Jefferson County,” Laura Meeks, the former president of Eastern Gateway Community College, remembered a few days after Houser’s Jan. 7 death at the age of 90.

Houser’s career in journalism covered more than 40 years, all but just a few of which were spent at the Herald-Star. She held numerous positions at the newspaper, including copy editor, reporter, city editor and community editor.

“She was our friend and role model — Marian was comfortable in board rooms and at teas, and she even agreed to model clothes at women’s club fundraisers,” Meeks continued. “Marian was committed to us — someone described her as having grace and wisdom. I agree. We looked up to her and asked for her advice. She cried with us and laughed, too, and her presence was appreciated.”

Houser’s career at the newspaper began in 1968, when she was 33. Her first job included writing cutlines and obituaries. The daughter of the late Carlisle and Mary Elizabeth Sterling Davidson and 1953 graduate of Steubenville High School worked hard to prove her skills as a reporter, writing news stories, feature stories, covering the courthouse and even writing an occasional sports story.

After leaving to work at the Wheeling News-Register for a brief period in the 1970s, her return to the Herald-Star on April 25, 1977, was announced in a front-page story. In 1979, she was named city editor, the first woman to hold that position at the Herald-Star, which traces its origins to 1806.

“Marian was a beautiful person, inside and out,” remembered Keith Murdock, the former marketing director at Trinity Health System and Eastern Gateway Community College. “When she started her career in journalism, newsmen were just that — men. She forged the path women in the media now follow. Whenever you were in her presence, you knew you were in the company of an extraordinary individual.”

While tough and demanding as a city editor, Houser also served as a teacher and mentor, and was always willing to share her experiences with younger reporters.

“I called Marian the matriarch of the newsroom, because she was a wonderful blend of pioneer, mentor and friend,” said Summer Wallace-Minger, a former reporter and community editor at The Weirton Daily Times who had the opportunity to work with Marian after the newsrooms at the papers were combined. “She broke glass ceilings for women in journalism in the Ohio Valley. While there were things that her editors hesitated to allow her to do, I was trained in them as a matter of course, because Marian was there first. We followed in her footsteps. I will forever be grateful for that and for her warm presence in the newsroom and the lessons she taught us.”

Those sentiments were shared by Jody Wisbith, who became the city editor in 2002 and spent several years in that post.

“When I came to the Herald-Star, Marian was the matriarch of the newsroom,” Wisbith said. “She held that title long before I came into that job. Her professionalism never wavered, as she was a guiding force in our workplace for myself and many of my newsroom co-workers and friends.

“Beyond that, she was a wonderful friend who always was there for me, whether it was having a heart-to-heart talk at lunch or allowing me to stay at her home because the weather was too bad to drive,” Wisbith continued.

Members of the newsroom became members of a second family, thanks in part to Houser’s leadership and caring personality. When she offered advice, it came from a person who had done every job in the newsroom — and had done it well.

“In the 1960s, Marian started chasing fire trucks and hard news stories when women were confined to the society pages,” said Paul Giannamore, a former reporter, business editor and city editor at the paper. “She withstood the slings and arrows of the time with, I am sure, her usual grace and strength and quality hard work. She paved the way for all the women who followed.

“She led us with a firm hand, helping us to learn and grow and ask the hard questions that made our newspaper a hard-hitting, award-winning publication that served the community and gave us a sense of pride well above most small-town papers. And, she took a personal interest in every one of us, not just as a tremendous journalist and editor and community leader, but as another beloved mom figure, someone to turn to in hard times and share with in the good times.”

Those traits endeared her with her co-workers from the time she started at the paper until her retirement on Aug. 20, 2010.

“Marian was a real pro at her job, but also a truly fun person to work with,” said Marge Bedortha, who had started working at the Herald-Star in 1950 and, after a break to raise her children, returned in 1970. “We shared many laughs together. Although we only worked together for one year, we became lifelong friends.”

When she wasn’t working, Marian always made time for her family and friends. She served on numerous boards and helped promote countless area church and charitable events, while making it a point to attend as many dinners and fundraisers as possible. Attendees would seek her out, asking to have their photo included on the full-page spreads that always followed in the days after those gatherings.

“My friend and colleague Marian was a perfect balance of steely strength, ornery humor and gentle grace,” said Christine Hargrave, a local businesswoman who served on boards, attended most of those events and became a close friend. “Marian loved and respected family and co-workers, but suffered no fools. Her standards were high for others and higher for herself. I’m sure the Herald “Angel” Star has welcomed her as a vital asset to its staff.”

Houser’s bond with the readers was special.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend,” said Suzanne Brown, who worked with Marian on many events and projects and was another close friend. “She was a beacon of love, not just to those blessed to call her a friend, but also to our community. She loved celebrating the events of local groups and organizations through her writing for many years, and accomplished it all with the elegance typical of Marian.

“She loved her family, with a love passed down generations to all those blessed to call her ‘mom,’ ‘grandma’ and ‘sister.’ I will miss her until the time we meet again,” Brown added.

Happenings in the community were recorded in her daily column — a section of the newspaper that was one of the first places many readers turned to, words they considered to be a must-read. Houser’s writings and community involvement earned her numerous awards.

“Marian’s death is certainly a huge loss for our community and to me personally as I always considered Marian as a cherished friend,” said Sue Hershey, who was heavily involved with the United Way of Jefferson County and served as executive director of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. “She was one of those people with whom you always enjoyed spending your time. She was full of joy, laughed easily and was downright charming. She was a walking history book about our community, and she and my husband, Ed, would share many stories about the people, the characters and the happenings of Steubenville.”

Documenting life in and around the city was important to Marian, from the smallest school or church event to the largest gathering, like the United Way’s Taste of Jefferson County or the annual gala that raises money for the Jefferson County Fourth Street Health Center.

“Marian was an excellent community editor,” said Patricia Fletcher, a longtime educator and volunteer. “She always helped me with notifications regarding children’s activities, covering community activities and events and was always on top of everything. Her passing is a very big loss to our community.”

Houser’s love and respect for the community was given back to her, as Meeks recalled, through numerous retirement celebrations held by several organizations, as well as a public reception at the Herald-Star, where area residents were invited to share a piece of cake, a cup of coffee and a memory with Houser.

One of those events, which was presented by the Friends of Marian Houser, brought members of her family, her co-workers, community members and, well, friends, together at the Williams Country Club on Aug. 19, 2010, for an evening of food, friendship, stories and a special champagne toast.

The priest who delivered the invocation at that event remembered Houser as someone special.

“Marian was the silent backbone of the community,” said the Rev. Richard Davis, TOR, who at the time was the executive director of community relations at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. “She knew the community, reported on the community and she loved the community. She considered it to be a real privilege to be able to report on the community and do the work she did.”

Through her work, Meeks explained, Houser was able to make a real impact.

“While Marian put the spotlight on our communities and clubs, we know she was a champion and friend who helped make us better and helped make a difference in Jefferson County. We are better because of Marian,” Meeks said.

Calling hours for Houser will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to time of services at 11 a.m. at the Shorac Funeral Home on Fernwood Road in Wintersville.