Mary Lou Paxton

1926 - 2016

Mary Lou Gray Paxton died peacefully at home in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. She had recently celebrated her 90th birthday. She was a devout Catholic and raised her children in the faith.
Born in Oshkosh, WI, she grew up in Illinois and Minnesota. She attended Barat College of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, IL, then went on to graduate with a BA in English Literature from Barry University in Miami, FL.
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, TX, and raised four children. In keeping with her love of fashion, she served on the board of Burlington Industries with Letitia Baldrige from 1969-1971. She was also an active member of the Junior League of Fort Worth.
In 1980 she and her husband John moved to Solana Beach, CA, and eventually settled in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.
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.
She is survived by her sister, Jayne Ann Gray Haag; sons, Robert Gray Paxton, William Paxton and Steve Paxton; daughter, Ann P. Otten; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
To all who knew and loved her, she will be greatly missed.
A memorial service is planned for Monday, July 11, 2016, at 10 am in the chapel of the Church of the Nativity, 6309 Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Stewart Home School, 4200 Lawrenceburg Rd., Frankfort, KY 40601, (502) 227-4821, www.stewarthome.com.