Louise Grayson Obituary

Louise Moore Grayson, 87 years old, died peacefully surrounded by family on September 1, 2017 in Durango, CO.

Louise was born on September 28, 1929 in Canton, OH to Whitley and Lois Moore. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a bachelors degree in biology and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa. There she met and married John F Grayson. She taught school before having children and they moved to Dallas, TX; on to Tulsa, OK; and, then, onto Durango, CO upon John's retirement in 1983.

Above all, Louise cherished her family. While raising her children, she pursued and taught art courses. While in Tulsa, she managed the gift shop at Philbrook Art Museum for a number of years and was one of the eight original owners of Color Connection Gallery. Throughout her time in both Tulsa & Durango, she exhibited her art work in several galleries, including ones in Tulsa, OK; Harbor Springs, MI; Ouray, CO and Durango, CO. She particularly loved painting children.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, John, of Durango Hills; her children: Kathy Marie Brook and her husband, Peter Szydlowski, of Santa Cruz, CA; Susan Grayson Moore and her husband, Matt, of Durango, CO; Nancy Ellen Grayson and her husband, Donnie Francis, of Kingfisher, OK; and, David John Grayson and his wife, Mary, of La Grange Park, IL. She & John have three granddaughters and three grandsons. Her older sister, Rosalie Moore, preceded her in death and she is survived by her younger brother, Frank Moore, of Corpus Christi, TX.

A memorial service will be held May 26, 2018 at 2pm in the Durango Art Center's gallery along with The Louise Grayson Celebration of Art & Life exhibition of her art work and art books at the Durango Arts Center Entrada May 15-29, 2018. All proceeds will go to Durango Arts Center.