Marsha Horsak – A Heart for East Dallas
I am originally from Indiana. I grew up in the most wonderful small town, Bedford. We were close to Bloomington, where Indiana University is, so we had the advantage of being close to a great college town but having that small-town idyllic life. I grew up loving basketball, the Indianapolis 500, and all things Hoosier. I went to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. My college roommate was from Dallas, so I visited here many times. I started out my career in Chicago and, after a few twists and turns, ended up in Dallas.
When I had our girls, I became a stay-at-home mom and called it a “career change.” I volunteered a lot at St. Thomas Aquinas and Bishop Lynch when the girls were at school there. I was very active in that community and enjoyed it a great deal. Cliff is retired from a career in architecture, so we are both home. He is a docent with the Meadows Museum at SMU. We are still very active in our girls’ lives. I am not sure that “empty nesting” really exists. We are busy all of the time.
Getting to know Marsha
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I started my family later in life. My husband, Cliff, and I met and then married when I was 39 and he was 46. It was a first marriage for both of us. I had our first daughter, Reilly, when I was 40, and our second daughter, Elise, when I was 41. They are 29 and 28 now and doing well in their careers and lives. Reilly lives here with her husband, Dylan, and Elise lives in New York City. We have a little Yorkshire Terrier named Tucker. And we have a grand puppy named Scooby Blu, who is a Mini Australian Shepherd.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I started out in retailing with Marshall Field & Co. in Chicago. From there, I went to Houston, where I discovered real estate and property management. I had never thought about the management of office buildings. From Houston, I moved to Dallas because my college roommate was moving back here. We had always wanted to live and work in the same city. I started out with the Henry S. Miller Company, learning the ropes of shopping center management. The highlight of my career was working with the Trammell Crow Company in high-rise office management. I had the honor of managing some of the premier office buildings during that time. And it was one of the most wonderful companies to work for.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
For hamburgers, I love Haystack. For Mexicans, I love El Vecino, Mixtitos and Meso Maya. For a “girls lunch,” Hudson House is great. Dream Cafe for breakfast. But I have to give a shout-out to my favorite place, Jimmy’s Food Store! Love it for all things Italian and for their sandwiches. It is my favorite place to food shop.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve been in Texas since late 1979, but I moved to Lakewood when Cliff and I got married in 1993. So I have been in the East Dallas community for 30 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I have met so many interesting people, I don’t think I could think of just one. But Trammell Crow comes to mind.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to visit Scotland. And I’ve never been to Venice, Italy.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Cliff and I love to watch the British shows on PBS and the Law & Order series. Favorite movie is Sweet Home Alabama.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’ve thought about trying to walk the Camino de Santiago but I’m not really a “backpack kind of gal”.
Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I don’t know if you would call this a business, but I am very nostalgic about the schools our girls went to. They went to St. Thomas Aquinas for grade school and junior high and Bishop Lynch for high school. In both of these places, I found the most wonderful community. The friends I made there, especially at St. Thomas, are friends that I will have for life. And it is the same for my daughters.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
My girlfriends! I have the best posse of girlfriends. And anywhere would be fun!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I have always said that Lakewood is the closest thing I can get to a small town in a big city. I love the community feel of East Dallas.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Probably right where I am now.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I used to do hot-air ballooning when I lived in Houston.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I have been to many beautiful places, Italy, Spain, Ireland but a few years ago we went to the British Virgin Islands on a sailing trip with some friends. That was pretty spectacular.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and the best single day on the calendar?
I love Halloween. Our neighborhood goes all out for it! But I love Thanksgiving and Christmas for the closeness and gathering of our family and close friends that are like family.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My family and friends.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My daughters, Reilly and Elise.
Q: How do you ignite kindness in your community?
I try to do the right thing. Whether it is making a meal for someone, complimenting someone, or just being kind. I try to go out of my way to be kind, and I try to lead by example.
Q: What are one or two of your favorite smells?
It sounds silly, but, onions sautéing. It brings a kitchen to life!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, family, and friends.
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