Gayle Donovan (Perry) Saunders

Gayle was born on the 30th of March 1935, in Houston, to the late Marcella Donovan Perry and Glenn A. Perry, a former County Judge of Harris County. Gayle grew up in the Heights and attended Reagan High School where she was a member of the school’s drum and bugle corps known as the Red Coats. She attended Southern Methodist University where she pledged Chi Omega before transferring to The University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Gayle met her husband, Fredric Milam Saunders, while at The University of Texas, and they were married in August 1957. They settled in Houston where Gayle began her teaching career. She taught first grade at Janoski Elementary School for several years before retiring to rear her two children, Meredith Anne Saunders Mason and Stuart Donovan Saunders.

Gayle’s affiliation with the Chi Omega Sorority continued throughout her life. She served as President of the Houston Chi Omega Alumnae Association and the Chi Omega Mothers Club of Houston. Gayle was also a member and past President of the Houston Alumnae Panhellenic Association. Through her association with her sorority, she donated countless hours of her time packaging gingersnap cookies to fundraise for The Center for Pursuit, empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their full potential and live their best lives. In addition to her Chi Omega and charitable efforts, Gayle enjoyed cooking, needlepointing, bridge club, and spending time with her grandchildren. Gayle’s bridge club was her closest network of friends. These women met faithfully every month for many decades and rarely dealt a hand of cards. In later years, Gayle could regularly be found attending dance recitals, pee wee baseball games, basketball games, swim meets, lacrosse games, band concerts, football games, and drill team competitions watching and cheering for her grandchildren.

Gayle is survived by her daughter Meredith Anne Saunders Mason and husband Richard Alan Mason, of Austin, and her son Stuart Donovan Saunders and wife Farrell Harris Saunders, of Houston. She was also blessed with seven grandchildren, Chandler Mason Roberts and husband Evan, Trevor James Mason and wife Megan, Dawson Milam Mason, Lee Marcella Saunders, Laura Catherine Saunders, Harris Donovan Saunders, and Ross Fredric Saunders. Gayle also has a newly born great grandson, Montgomery Fredric Roberts. Gayle lost her husband of 67 years, Fred, last year on the 20th of October 2024.

The family would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Gayle’s caregivers Vera Fortoh, Irene Guevara, Inez Hawkins, Edith Lemon, Justice Maes, Raquel Maes, Theresa Miller, Fathlin Sterling, and Seferie Taah for the many years of talented and loving care they provided.

A funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 21st of November, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where Rev. Stacey Croft, Pastor of Adult Ministries of Christ the King Presbyterian Church is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent library and grand foyer.

The family will gather later that afternoon for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to either, The Center for Pursuit, The Lighthouse of Houston, or the charity of your choice. You may access the link to both charities below under 'Donations.' The Lighthouse of Houston was dear to her heart because it was co-founded in 1939 by Gayle’s maternal grandfather, James Donovan.

We also invite you to take a few moments to share memories and words of comfort and condolence with her family by selecting the 'Add a Memory' icon below under 'Show your Support.'