Mary Lou Gray Paxton

1926 - 2016

Mary Lou Gray Paxton died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 26, 2016. She had recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Mary Lou was a devout Catholic and raised her children in the faith. She was born in Oshkosh, Wis., on May 21, 1926; she grew up in Illinois and Minnesota. She attended Barat College of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Ill., then went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Barry University in Miami, Fla. After college, she worked as a fashion director for Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. in Chicago before marrying John Lane Paxton of Kansas City, Mo. Together they moved to Fort Worth and raised four children. In keeping with her love of fashion, she served on the board of Burlington Industries with Letitia Baldrige from 1969 to 1971. She was also an active member of the Junior League of Fort Worth. In 1980 she and her husband John moved to Solana Beach, Calif. and eventually settled in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. She was known to her family and friends as a woman of great style, taste, beauty and humor. She believed that, "making an effort in your appearance was a courtesy to others." Besides fashion, her many interests included family, friends, travel, reading and cooking. To all who knew and loved her, she will be greatly missed. Survivors: She is survived by her sister, Jayne Ann Gray Haag; her sons, Robert Gray Paxton, William Paxton and Steve Paxton; her daughter, Ann P. Otten; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Memorial service: 10 a.m. Monday, July 11, in the chapel of the Church of the Nativity, 6309 Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stewart Home School, 4200 Lawrenceburg Road,. Frankfort, Ky. 40601, 502-227-4821, www.stewarthome.com