Grace Gordon Arnold

Grace Gordon Arnold, age 88, passed away peacefully the 7th of June, 2015. Grace was born on the 3rd of October 1926. She grew up in Houston, Texas, attended Lamar High School, Stephen’s College, and the University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in piano and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.

Grace was an exceptionally supportive, kind and loving mother, daughter, friend, and wife. She wrote, “I was born loving babies, flowers, music ……family and friends, the elderly and wishing I could make people happy.” Grace consistently “made people happy” even throughout her years with Alzheimer’s and until her very last days. During her life Grace, spent many years as an active volunteer. One of her favorite projects was as the Chair of the Well Baby Clinic, the Junior’s League’s Children’s Clinic at Hermann Hospital during its formative years. She also enjoyed her work with her Theta friends on the annual Houston Theta Charity Antique Show. Grace especially enjoyed her volunteer work as a member of River Oaks Garden Club, where she chaired the Azalea Trail and the Forum of the Civics gardens. Grace found peace in the garden and enjoyed flower arranging throughout her life. In her last years her music persisted, and gave her many days of joy with friends and family in song or at the piano.

Grace held a strong faith throughout her life as a member of First Methodist Church and, as an adult, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. She was a tireless advocate for the improvement of care for the elderly, based on her many years devoted to the care of her parents and her aunts. She was thrilled at the founding of the Alzheimer’s day center, now known as the Amazing Place, where she eventually would become a participant. She and her family received tremendous love, peace and support from the Amazing Place.

During her last three years, Grace adored the love and companionship of the residents and staff in her final home, Autumn Grove Heights Cottage. Her family deeply appreciates the many special caregivers she had both in her home and at Autumn Grove.

Grace was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Thomas Oren Arnold; her parents, Vivian and Tulane Gordon; her sister in law, Mary Virginia Johnston, and her brother in law, William Buck Arnold, and her grandson, Tucker Brantly Arnold. She is survived by her daughter, Vivian Arnold O'Leary and her husband Tom Davis O’Leary; her son, Gordon Thomas Arnold and his wife Adriane Harris Arnold; and, her grandchildren Tom Davis O'Leary, Jr., Grace Margaret O'Leary, Eloise Eugenia Arnold and Lyda Weaver Arnold. Grace also leaves her brother, Paul Tulane Gordon, III and his wife Dianne; her brother in law, Daniel Calmes Arnold and his wife, Beverly; her sister in laws, Lucy Gray Arnold and Jane Arnold Touchstone and numerous nieces and nephews – all of whom she loved very deeply.

A memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 10th of June at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be directed to St Luke’s United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 22013 Houston, TX 77227; The Amazing Place 3735 Drexel Houston, Texas 77027; or the Bayou Bend Gardens Endowment, P. O. Box 6826 Houston, Texas 77265-6826.