The official spokeswoman of the U.S. Supreme Court for 16 years, House made it her job to educate the public on the workings of the highest level of the country’s judicial branch, rather than just announce the court’s decisions and orders. Unlike some government spokespeople, she refused to put “spin” or explanations on the court’s work, saying the decisions “speak for themselves.”
She was previously a reporter and editor for the Washington Star, and served on the board of directors of the American Judicature Society. House died of lung cancer September 29, just a few weeks after she was diagnosed with the disease. She was 55.