Mary Ricks Gideon

Cheerleader, pilot, secretary, TCU fan, PTA president, master bridge player, avid tennis player, world traveler and domino champion, she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Mary grew up in Fort Worth with her brother, Bill, at the Masonic Home and School of Texas, where she made many lifelong friends. She married Leroy Gideon, a fellow classmate from the Home, in 1944. His job with Rowan Oil Company took them to Midland, Ft. Worth, Alaska and Houston where, again, they made many friends and many great memories.

Early retirement found them enjoying a beautiful home on Lake Travis, playing tennis, traveling and spending winters in Maui, Hawaii. Maui was a favorite place for Mary, a place where she loved entertaining their new Maui friends and showing family and friends from Texas a great time on the Island.

Throughout her life, Mary was loved by all for her kindness, devotion and love of life. We will miss, but will always remember, her very sly sense of humor, her genuine smile and the twinkle in her eye.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Mary and son-in-law Tim Herman of Austin and Sarah and son-in-law Ken Johnson of Mobile, AL; and grandson Matthew Herman of Los Angeles. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy. A private family celebration of her life will take place in Maui, Hawaii, later this spring. The family wishes to thank the incredible caregivers at Casa Mesquite at Longhorn Village and Heart to Heart Hospice for their sensitive and nurturing attention to our Mimi during her time with them.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, the Texas Book Festival, or the Masonic Home and School of Texas.