Nanette Ayres

Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on the 19th of May 1928, Nanette was the first of Margaret Holmes and Jack Brown Wright’s three daughters. Her family settled in San Antonio in 1933 so Nanette’s father could manage the Texas division of Mode O’Day, a chain of ready-to-wear department stores. A 1945 graduate of Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Nanette attended Mills College in Oakland, California and The University of Texas at Austin. She was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and continued to be active in the Houston Alumni Chapter throughout her life. One of her favorite Theta activities was working at the Theta Charity Antiques show – remarkably, she volunteered at the show for more than 50 years, and chaired the event in 1967.

Nanette served as Activities Coordinator for The Church of Saint John the Divine for 32 years under the leadership of The Reverends Tom Sumners, Tom Roberts, Ben Benitez and, most recently, Laurens A. Hall.

Nanette was selfless in her work for the church. She was responsible for coordinating baptisms, weddings, funerals, among other events, and gave up countless personal hours, so those landmark occasions could seamlessly occur, just as families had planned. Her beautiful handwriting was adored by many and was a hallmark of her attention to detail. When she retired from Saint John the Divine in 2006, a stained glass window depicting the wedding at Cana of Galilee was installed in the church and dedicated in her honor.

Nanette loved being surrounded by her family and friends, many of whom affectionately called her ‘Nonny’ or ‘Aunt Net’. She was treasured by her neighbors on Betsy Lane, as well as her church and Theta friends. She also loved to spend summers and many weekends in Rockport, relaxing with her family.

Nanette was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Margaret Wright Briggs. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, George Collett Ayres; her sister Norma Wright Stratford and husband Conway of Torrance, California; her daughter Alison Ayres Bell and husband Chris, and their sons Atlee Christopher Bell and Connally Ayres Bell of Houston; her son George Collett Ayres, Jr. and wife Heatherly, and their daughters Liza Clementine Ayres, Hallie Esmé Ayres, Phoebe Tallulah Ayres and Miranda Daisy Ayres of Austin; and many nieces and nephews.

The family extends special appreciation for the wonderful care she received at Amazing Place, where she was a participant for more than three years.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 23rd of July at The Church of Saint John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, where The Rev. Laurens A. Hall will officiate.

Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Sumners Hall.

At a later date, the family is to gather for a private inurnment in the Garden of The Resurrection at The Church of Saint John the Divine.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Nanette’s name be directed to The Church of Saint John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77019; Amazing Place, 3735 Drexel, Houston, TX, 77027; or to the charity of one’s choice.