Shirley “Gaw Gaw” Gay, 92, was born in Conroe, Texas June 10, 1927, and died in Houston on August 9, 2019, surrounded by love.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Howard and Frances Howard Willson; brother, Henry Howard, Jr.; stepfather, James P. Willson; son-in-law, Hampton C. Robinson, III; and former husband, Desmond E. Gay, father of their daughters. She is survived by her daughters, whom she affectionately called “The Girls” - Pat Gay Downing and husband, Jack, and Pam Gay Robinson; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Neil Downing and wife, Taneka, Amanda Gay Downing, and Lindsay Gay Robinson; her great-grandchildren, Ryder and Skylar Downing. Shirley is also survived by former brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. She also leaves behind her fur-babies, Goldie and Shadowman.
Shirley graduated from San Jacinto High School, and after a successful business career she fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse by receiving her LVN degree from Houston Community College. She worked for the Memorial Hospital System, especially enjoying her time in Labor and Delivery. As the first female member of M.D. Anderson YMCA elected to their Board of Directors, she served with commitment and pride. Shirley loved traveling. One of her biggest joys was taking The Girls and their friends to Garner State Park. At the age of 81, she discovered her love of zip-lining while on a family vacation in Alaska. The joy on her face was unimaginable. She loved turtles, as evidenced by the vast collection she acquired over the years. Shirley was a wiz at Jeopardy; she tested her skills daily. If the Astros, Texans or Rockets were playing, she would be watching and cheering them on.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, from 5pm to 8pm. Services honoring Shirley H. Gay will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. All services will take place in The Grand Chapel at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas. Interment in Brookside Memorial Park will be held immediately after the funeral service.
Serving as pallbearers: George Bilnoski, Patrick Bilnoski, Paul Bilnoski, Ted Downing, Jim Leitner and Bruce Whitten. Honorary pallbearers: Jack Downing, Jeffrey Downing, Ryder Downing, Newell Gay and Oscar Delgado, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations to a pet adoption agency, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or charity of your choice in honor of Shirley Gay would be appreciated.
The family wants to express their gratitude to her caregivers: Marcie, Jean, Houston Hospice, and neighbors, Marie and Roland Lawrence and Peggy Bond.
Brookside Funeral Home
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Howard and Frances Howard Willson; brother, Henry Howard, Jr.; stepfather, James P. Willson; son-in-law, Hampton C. Robinson, III; and former husband, Desmond E. Gay, father of their daughters. She is survived by her daughters, whom she affectionately called “The Girls” - Pat Gay Downing and husband, Jack, and Pam Gay Robinson; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Neil Downing and wife, Taneka, Amanda Gay Downing, and Lindsay Gay Robinson; her great-grandchildren, Ryder and Skylar Downing. Shirley is also survived by former brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. She also leaves behind her fur-babies, Goldie and Shadowman.
Shirley graduated from San Jacinto High School, and after a successful business career she fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse by receiving her LVN degree from Houston Community College. She worked for the Memorial Hospital System, especially enjoying her time in Labor and Delivery. As the first female member of M.D. Anderson YMCA elected to their Board of Directors, she served with commitment and pride. Shirley loved traveling. One of her biggest joys was taking The Girls and their friends to Garner State Park. At the age of 81, she discovered her love of zip-lining while on a family vacation in Alaska. The joy on her face was unimaginable. She loved turtles, as evidenced by the vast collection she acquired over the years. Shirley was a wiz at Jeopardy; she tested her skills daily. If the Astros, Texans or Rockets were playing, she would be watching and cheering them on.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, from 5pm to 8pm. Services honoring Shirley H. Gay will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. All services will take place in The Grand Chapel at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas. Interment in Brookside Memorial Park will be held immediately after the funeral service.
Serving as pallbearers: George Bilnoski, Patrick Bilnoski, Paul Bilnoski, Ted Downing, Jim Leitner and Bruce Whitten. Honorary pallbearers: Jack Downing, Jeffrey Downing, Ryder Downing, Newell Gay and Oscar Delgado, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations to a pet adoption agency, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or charity of your choice in honor of Shirley Gay would be appreciated.
The family wants to express their gratitude to her caregivers: Marcie, Jean, Houston Hospice, and neighbors, Marie and Roland Lawrence and Peggy Bond.
Brookside Funeral Home
Shirley “Gaw Gaw” Gay, 92, was born in Conroe, Texas June 10, 1927, and died in Houston on August 9, 2019, surrounded by love.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Howard and Frances Howard Willson; brother, Henry Howard, Jr.; stepfather, James P. Willson; son-in-law, Hampton C. Robinson, III; and former husband, Desmond E. Gay, father of their daughters. She is survived by her daughters, whom she affectionately called “The Girls” - Pat Gay Downing and husband, Jack, and Pam Gay Robinson; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Neil Downing and wife, Taneka, Amanda Gay Downing, and Lindsay Gay Robinson; her great-grandchildren, Ryder and Skylar Downing. Shirley is also survived by former brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. She also leaves behind her fur-babies, Goldie and Shadowman.
Shirley graduated from San Jacinto High School, and after a successful business career she fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse by receiving her LVN degree from Houston Community College. She worked for the Memorial Hospital System, especially enjoying her time in Labor and Delivery. As the first female member of M.D. Anderson YMCA elected to their Board of Directors, she served with commitment and pride. Shirley loved traveling. One of her biggest joys was taking The Girls and their friends to Garner State Park. At the age of 81, she discovered her love of zip-lining while on a family vacation in Alaska. The joy on her face was unimaginable. She loved turtles, as evidenced by the vast collection she acquired over the years. Shirley was a wiz at Jeopardy; she tested her skills daily. If the Astros, Texans or Rockets were playing, she would be watching and cheering them on.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, from 5pm to 8pm. Services honoring Shirley H. Gay will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. All services will take place in The Grand Chapel at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas. Interment in Brookside Memorial Park will be held immediately after the funeral service.
Serving as pallbearers: George Bilnoski, Patrick Bilnoski, Paul Bilnoski, Ted Downing, Jim Leitner and Bruce Whitten. Honorary pallbearers: Jack Downing, Jeffrey Downing, Ryder Downing, Newell Gay and Oscar Delgado, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations to a pet adoption agency, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or charity of your choice in honor of Shirley Gay would be appreciated.
The family wants to express their gratitude to her caregivers: Marcie, Jean, Houston Hospice, and neighbors, Marie and Roland Lawrence and Peggy Bond.
Brookside Funeral Home
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Howard and Frances Howard Willson; brother, Henry Howard, Jr.; stepfather, James P. Willson; son-in-law, Hampton C. Robinson, III; and former husband, Desmond E. Gay, father of their daughters. She is survived by her daughters, whom she affectionately called “The Girls” - Pat Gay Downing and husband, Jack, and Pam Gay Robinson; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Neil Downing and wife, Taneka, Amanda Gay Downing, and Lindsay Gay Robinson; her great-grandchildren, Ryder and Skylar Downing. Shirley is also survived by former brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. She also leaves behind her fur-babies, Goldie and Shadowman.
Shirley graduated from San Jacinto High School, and after a successful business career she fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse by receiving her LVN degree from Houston Community College. She worked for the Memorial Hospital System, especially enjoying her time in Labor and Delivery. As the first female member of M.D. Anderson YMCA elected to their Board of Directors, she served with commitment and pride. Shirley loved traveling. One of her biggest joys was taking The Girls and their friends to Garner State Park. At the age of 81, she discovered her love of zip-lining while on a family vacation in Alaska. The joy on her face was unimaginable. She loved turtles, as evidenced by the vast collection she acquired over the years. Shirley was a wiz at Jeopardy; she tested her skills daily. If the Astros, Texans or Rockets were playing, she would be watching and cheering them on.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, from 5pm to 8pm. Services honoring Shirley H. Gay will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. All services will take place in The Grand Chapel at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas. Interment in Brookside Memorial Park will be held immediately after the funeral service.
Serving as pallbearers: George Bilnoski, Patrick Bilnoski, Paul Bilnoski, Ted Downing, Jim Leitner and Bruce Whitten. Honorary pallbearers: Jack Downing, Jeffrey Downing, Ryder Downing, Newell Gay and Oscar Delgado, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations to a pet adoption agency, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or charity of your choice in honor of Shirley Gay would be appreciated.
The family wants to express their gratitude to her caregivers: Marcie, Jean, Houston Hospice, and neighbors, Marie and Roland Lawrence and Peggy Bond.
Brookside Funeral Home
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