Grace Ygartua Gaby

Born May 28, 1932 in New York City, she attended Barnard School in Scarsdale, NY and graduated Redlands High School in Homestead, FL. Later, she studied at the University of the Sacred Heart, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Grace met Louis Gaby, the love of her life at Redlands High School in Homestead, FL and they were married at St. John’s Episcopal in Homestead on November 29, 1952.

Grace was a loyal and devoted employee of the UGA Athletic Association and was described as an MVP and jack-of-all-trades in her tireless service to the Bulldog Club and Coach Dan Magill’s tennis program. Her natural fluency was helpful to Spanish speaking tennis players and visitors. She also served as an officer of the University Woman’s Club and was active in Emmanuel Thrift Shop and Holy Cookers ministries.

Her father, Carlos Arturo Ygartua; mother, Graciela Margarita Ygartua Rever; stepmother, Lula Suarez-Ygartua; half-brother, Jose Carlos Ygartua; and granddaughter, Grace MacMillan Gaby, preceded Mrs. Gaby in death.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Louis; daughter Julie (partner, Bernie), sons, Bill (wife, Michelle) and Lee (wife, Sherry); grandchildren, Daniel, Sam, Mary Elizabeth (Bess), Margaret, and George; her brother, Carlos Ygartua, (wife, Vivian); half-sister, Luz Y. Freese, and half-brothers, Arturo and Luis Antonio Ygartua; sister-in-law, Margaret Ashby; brother-in-law, Donald Gaby and many nieces, nephews and cousins in California, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

Grace loved, most of all, her family. She enjoyed reading, beaches, Bridge, Disney World, family history, being part of Louis’ Phi Tau Fraternity Alumni activities, water skiing and social networking, Facebook and all. Her other love was the Bulldog Nation, including every Red & Black sports team. She truly lived as a goodwill ambassador. Anyone who spoke Spanish, loved to dance, liked musical greeting cards, tailgated, opened the 1928 Prayer Book, enjoyed Lewis Grizzard’s humor or took her advice about the healing power of Eupinol received an extra blessing.

The family would like to thank the staff at Westminster Towers, Brookdale Senior Living and Florida Hospital and Hospice for their help in caring for Grace.

“Smile when you meet strangers and when people you cherish enter a room. Let them see your eyes light up.” That’s what Grace would have wanted for all of us who remain.

The family suggests donations to a favorite charity or gifts to the following organizations: American Red Cross, Florida Hospital Hospice Care, 770 West Granada Blvd, Suite 304, Ormond Beach, FL 32174, or the International Tennis Hall of Fame, in care of the University of Georgia Foundation.

There will be a service on Saturday, March 18 at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens, with reception immediately following at the Church.