Mary Elizabeth Gilbert Sieber, 1931-2006

Obituary from Houston Chronicle

John and I were classmates at Rice University/School of Architecture. I remember him fondly and his wife, Mary...truly quality folks and good friends.

We will miss John and his kind intelligent demeanor. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John's family and friends.

Don R. Cole

I met John in 1984 when I first moved to Houston. He had just sat a prolonged meditation retreat with a notorious Burmese mediation master that had not been helpful. It had limited and contained him in a way that was more damaging than liberating. He was not about to listen to me, another meditation teacher, without serious scrutiny. For several months he held back saying little within a meditation group who met every Monday evening for a dharma discussion. I appreciated his hesitancy and deliberation, and when he finally joined in, he understood that self reliance was his greatest asset. He was a considered man, prudent and kind within his actions, gentle in speech and thought. When I left Houston I encouraged him to take the lead in the group if it continued to meet. He declined saying he was not interested in leading or teaching, only in learning. He remained that way the entire 25 years I knew him.

Rodney Smith

Listen World! The sound
of one hand clapping is but
the sound of silence.

A child holds a shell
against his ear; he listens
to eternity.

It is the silence
within the smallest of sounds
where music is heard.

The music marches
but the living are silent
to salute the dead.

Mute yourself, flowers!
Your colors clash on this, a
solemn occasion.

Ann Henry

It was a lovely memorial service unlike any other I have ever attended. I felt very special to be there. I wanted to stand and share that Paul and I will always think of John as we prepare our 3.7-to-1 gin-to-vermouth martinis. Know that we feel our lives have been blessed, indeed, with having known your family.

Roger Woest

If I have had any success at all as an architect it is because of John Sieber. He and I started working toether back in the 70s. When I was down, he picked me up. When we had problems, he solved them. He was my conscience. In the bad times he inspired me to keep going. In the good times we shared the joys of life together. I am a lucky man to have known him. He was like a brother to me.

I will always love him and he will be part of Weezie's and my life forever.

Bill and Weezie Furbush

Dear Jack and Ann,

Your father's intelligence and his kind and courteous manner impressed everyone who knew him, and he seldom put himself forward. No need to recite the list of his good deeds or elaborate on how generous he was with his time and advice.

Instead, I'll use this space to describe John's physicality. He had beautiful hands with beautifully manicured fingernails, He could wrap a present without using tape and without spoiling satin ribbon. He helped me cook for one work retreat at the Margaret Austin Center. I asked him to pit and cut up a great many ripe cherries that were going into a pie. His bowl of pitted cherries contained identical halves, mine contained ragged pieces.

He had a love of music and a fine singing voice. Orderly habits and the ability to tolerate disorder in other people. He was frugal and careful, and had an unmalicious talent for describing friends who were more impulsive than he was. His greatest gift was introducing me to your mother, who taught me more in two hours about editing complicated texts than I ever managed to thank her for.

It is a great grief that the two of them are gone.

Jane Woodward Elioseff

I never met a gentler soul. We had a shared belief that all is ONE. Thank you for sharing your presence and essence with me John. Your spirit and essence will continue through my friendship with Ann and Jack.

Laura Holliday

john sieber came to my yoga class not long ago . . . met him for the first time then, but what a kindred spirit! rest in peace, john.

kay westcott

I've re-written this many times and keep failing at it. Essentially, John touched my life in so many ways that when I try to put it on paper, it sounds like a Hallmark card. So I'll keep it short. It's what I cannot say about John that had such a profound effect on me, yet in such a simple and natural way. And I will never be the same.

Cathy Glowacky

My deepest, deepest sympathies. He was an absolutely wonderful, gentle, peaceful man and I feel honored to have known him almost my entire life. A shining example of a loving person, whom I see reflected so deeply in both Ann and Jack.

I know you will miss him greatly, as will all of us who knew him. But I also know his generous spirit will carry on in you.

Today is also my own father's birthday. Your sad loss will remind me that I should cherish my own father that much more and not take his continued presence for granted.

Richard Wells

I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a great spirit. After all these years, I can still remember his quick wit and joyful love of life. All of those who came in contact with him, even if briefly, have been enriched by the experience. His was a life truly worth celebrating.

Scott Bell