Mary Gay (Garrigan) Paratore

Mary Gay Garrigan Paratore

January 10, 1940 – March 10, 2025

After five courageous years fighting cancer, Mary Gay Garrigan Paratore, known to all simply as Gay, peacefully left us. Even as her illness advanced, Gay kept her heart in the things she loved—painting true-to-life canvases and nurturing her garden—right up until her final weeks. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Philip Paratore Jr., she is survived by her four children, their partners, seven grandchildren, and her devoted fiancé, Richard Fenderson, who cared for her with tenderness and love through these last years. The family is forever grateful to Richard for the unwavering support and joy he brought to Gay’s life.

A 4th generation “BOI” (Born on the Island), Gay was part of the rich tapestry that made Galveston what it was. Born on January 10, 1940, she witnessed the city’s heyday, and with her passing, we lose yet another connection to a past that was as colorful and unique as she was. Gay’s memories of those days were just as vibrant and detailed as the artwork she left behind.

Gay was brilliant and passionate about learning, earning her Bachelor’s degree in 1961 from Sam Houston State University—graduating in the top 2% of her class—before going on to earn her Master’s Degree in Art Education from the University of Houston. Her career began even earlier, though, with a summer job in 1958 at the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Medical Illustration Department. Over the decades, Gay left her mark on countless students at Hitchcock ISD, Ball High, and Alvin ISD, eventually serving as the Art Department Head at Alvin Community College. She shared her love of art not only in Texas but also during the summers she spent on the coast of Maine, teaching at the Woodlawn Museum, alongside her teaching roles at the Art Alliance Center of Clear Lake and the Butler Longhorn Museum in Texas.

Gay had a true artist’s spirit—her talent spanned nearly every medium. From watercolors to oils, pastels to sculpture, weaving to jewelry, she could do it all. Her work earned national recognition, with awards too numerous to list, including the President’s Award from the National Watercolor Society and Best of Show from the National Society of Artists. A signature member of seven prestigious art societies, she was recognized for her talent throughout her life. At just thirteen, Gay became the youngest member of the Galveston Art League, and at the time of her passing, she was its oldest active member. But despite all these accolades, Gay would likely say her proudest accomplishment was the 30-year run of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo art students she guided to top awards. Teaching was her true gift, and her joy in sharing that gift left a lasting impression on generations of students.

Gay had an unmistakable, larger-than-life presence. Her voice, her laughter, her animated gestures—they filled any room she was in. She never met a stranger and left every person she encountered with a story to tell. It wasn’t just about what she did but how she lived—with vibrancy, kindness, and enthusiasm.

Her work wasn’t confined to the studio or classroom. Gay was a community servant, giving her time and heart to those around her. She served on the school board at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Hitchcock, volunteered at the Shrine Burn Hospital in Galveston, and taught adults with physical and mental challenges in Texas City. Gay also founded the National Society of Artists in 1985, leaving a legacy that still thrives today.

Gay was deeply grateful for the unwavering love and support of her beloved Beta Sigma Phi Torchbearer Phi sorority sisters over the last 57 years and whose kindness and care brought her comfort throughout her illness. Both Gay and her family are forever grateful to the compassionate nurses and staff at St. Dominic’s Village, in Houston, who cared for her with such warmth and dedication that she truly felt constantly surround not only by her immediate family but also a supporting community in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations in her name to be made to the Galveston Arts Center, 2127 Strand, Galveston, Texas 77550 (409)763-2403 information@galvestonartscenter.org ensuring Gay’s love for art and education continues to inspire others for years to come.

Her spirit, her creativity, and her love will be deeply missed, but her legacy lives on in every brushstroke, every bloom in her garden, and every heart she touched.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday March 18th, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 10114 Hwy 6 in Hitchcock, Texas. Visitation will begin at 10am with service at 11am followed by graveside service and then a return to Madonna Hall for a luncheon provided by the Lourdes Bereavement Committee, all are welcome and invited to attend.

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