Carleen Frances Campbell

Carleen Frances Campbell, 86, of Houston passed away Friday, July 31, 2026. Carleen was born on August 14, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois to Edward and Josephine Spicer. She is survived by her children Ann Campbell Reed and Beth Campbell Lively, Grandchildren Grace Reed, Kathryn Lively and Josephine Lively, and Brothers Edward Spicer and William Spicer. Carleen grew up in Chicago and graduated from Trinity High School and then Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1961. She married James Campbell in 1964 and worked as a medical technician at St. Anne’s hospital in Cooke County before moving to Houston, TX with Jim and daughter, Ann, in 1969. As a child, Carleen loved taking the bus with her mother into downtown Chicago to shop at Marshal Field’s, a tradition she carried on with her own daughters, spending a whole day at Foley’s in downtown Houston. Carleen was a homemaker and full-time mom but was also very active in her community. She was a long-time member of St. John Vianney’s Women’s club starting in 1969, and the Westchester Women’s club where she played tennis “competitively” and participated in neighborhood events. Later in life, she became an active member of the Theresians. Carleen had a love of parades and musical theater which she was able to enjoy by volunteering with her friends at the Alley theater where she could see all the performances for free. Her true fascination however, even since childhood, was tap dancing. Her lifelong passion was realized when she found a local troupe of tap-dancing senior ladies at the Tracy Gee community center. With the troupe, she performed all over Harris County at community celebrations, holiday events, and regional senior gatherings. Nothing brought her more joy than practicing the dances, putting together the costumes and then performing the dances before live audiences. Carleen cultivated friendships wherever she went; people seemed to gravitate toward her, and her unique talent was to quickly call them friends. She was steadfast in her friendship, as well, keeping faithfully in touch with her elementary, high school and college friends throughout the years. Carleen gathered so many to her and she cherished every person she called “Friend”. The Campbell family will be present to receive friends for services Tuesday August 11, 2026, 10:30 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079. Reception to follow on church grounds in St. Jude Hall. Carleen will be laid to rest following reception at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

Carleen Frances Campbell

August 14, 1939 - July 31, 2026