Marie Bel Fay Evnochides

Marie Bel Fay Evnochides was born January 2, 1941 and was freed from the scourge of Parkinson's disease on May 16, 2025. She was the daughter of Carolyn Grant Fay and Ernest Bel Fay. Marie attended St. John's School through sixth grade, and enrolled in The Kinkaid School, where she graduated in 1959. She attended Sarah Lawrence College in New York, eventually obtaining her degree in English from the University of Houston in 1965. Marie was a ceramic artist, gifted photographer, avid gardener, world traveler, and dedicated sailor, crewing for her father for many years on Galveston Bay, but her true passion was education, specifically early childhood education. She began her teaching career at The Oaks School. Seeing her devotion for children, John Cooper, longtime headmaster of Kinkaid, called on Marie to establish and teach a program for 3-year-olds. This began her 25-year faculty tenure at The Kinkaid School. After Kinkaid ended their early childhood program, Marie saw a need for pre-school education in the Houston area, which prompted her to establish The Fay School. She found the perfect location – the lush eight acre property of her childhood home. Marie not only served as head of school, but as a teacher who brought her own brand of magic to the classroom. Under her leadership, The Fay School grew to be one of Houston's premier independent elementary schools. She remained dedicated to the school as a member of the Board of Trustees until her death. After 44 years of loving, caring, and educating young children, Marie wanted to continue to celebrate and encourage outstanding teaching, leading her to found the Marie Fay Evnochides Fund. This fund became her passion. Each year the Fund recognizes two deserving private school teachers with a cash award. Marie was a very generous philanthropist, supporting multiple charities and serving on various boards, including the Yellowstone Academy, the CG Jung Education Center, the Kinkaid School, and various family organizations. On Galveston Bay in 1938, her father was a founder of the Texas Corinthian Yacht Club. Marie was a lifetime member and spent virtually every summer of her life there. Some of her fondest memories were formed at the club and on the bay. Marie is pre-deceased by her parents, husband of 47 years Spyros "Steve" Evnochides, daughter Naomi Fay Evnochides, and brother John "Jack" Fay. She is survived by her daughter Amy Fay Kuenstler, sister Randi Fay Yocum and husband Sam Yocum, granddaughter Carolyn Grace Litherland, niece Jennifer Fay, nephews John Fay, Sam Yocum II, and Kenneth Yocum, stepdaughter Fawnee Evnochides and stepson George Ducas. She is also survived by a host of beloved, stalwart friends (you know who you are!). The family would like to thank the committed and caring health care providers from Breakthrough Personal Home Care Services. These caregivers made her final years comfortable, relaxed, and fun. Friends and family will gather for a funeral and reception from four until seven o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the Bradshaw-Carter Home, 1734 W. Alabama Street in Houston. The funeral ceremony will begin at half past four. A private burial will be held on another date. In lieu of flowers, Marie would have appreciated a contribution to one of the charities closest to her heart: Bell Park, 300 N Post Oak Lane, Houston, TX 77024 or Houston Area Parkinson's Society, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77098. You may donate to Bell Park by clicking here, or Houston Area Parkinson's Society here. Click here to view the funeral livestream link.