Lucile Marie Gould Bridges1920-2016She was a California girl. At sixteen, she walked across the Golden Gate Bridge the day it opened. Lucile Marie Gould Bridges of Houston, Texas, died on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at her home, just three weeks shy of her 97th birthday. A Memorial Service in her honor will be held at A&M United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 2 PM.Lucile was born on January 5, 1920 in Oakland, California to Gustav Emil and Dora Johnson. Her parents met when he was part of the California Gold Rush and she taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Lucile was two when her mother died, and until the age of 13 she boarded with the neighbors during the week, her bed under the dining room table, while her father worked in construction. This curious childhood developed a life-long skill to adapt cheerfully to any circumstance—and become the peerless Brownie leader of Troop 5.She married Frank Gould in 1940. They lived in Utah and California where he taught biology to nurses. The family had increased by three daughters by the time they reached Arizona, and then accepted an offer in the Range and Forestry department of Texas A&M College, in 1947. Lucile worked as a secretary to the commandant at Bryan Air Force Base to supplement an associate professor's salary. In the 1950's, she helped open the new Social Security office in Bryan. Her activities included A&M Presbyterian Church Deacon, Girl Scouts, Range and Forestry Wives Club, Pan American Round Table, Brazos Valley Community Singers (now BV Chorale), P.E.O. Sisterhood, First Presbyterian Church Choir in Sugarland and National Association of Retired Employees—whose meetings she still attended monthly in Bryan this year. As Gould published, and became renowned as a plant (grasses) taxonomist, they both reveled in world-wide trips and friendships. With her second husband, Malcolm Bridges, a retired naval officer, the travels continued. She was a gypsy with just enough means, and there are not many corners of the earth she had not motored or cruised around.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Frank Gould, her husband Malcolm Bridges, and her nephew John S. Davis. Survivors include her daughters, Kathryn Gould Lindsay and husband, Hugh Lindsay; Mary Gould Pedigo and husband, John Pedigo; Janet Gould Varvel and husband, Walter Varvel. Her grandchildren, Stephanie Pedigo Maulsby, Shannon Pedigo Allen, Joshua Lindsay, Stacy Pedigo, Stephen Varvel, Craig Lindsay, and Brandi Varvel Burgess; their spouses, her step-granddaughter, Leanne Bridges Gaspar; and her seven great grandsons and seven great granddaughters. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston, 5127 Long Drive, Houston, Texas, 77087Special thanks to Darrelle Robbins and the incredibly caring staff of Houston Hospice and Dr. Mathew Scott Horsefield. Please share fond memories of Lucile at www.hillierfuneralhome.com