Margaret Mary Payan

It is with deep sorrow that we announce Margaret Mary Payan was sent to her eternal home on Thursday, the 27th of February 2025, at the age of 88. Margaret was born on the 19th of August 1936, in Houston, to her beloved parents, Mary and Miguel Garza. She lived a life full of love, kindness, and unwavering strength.

A devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Margaret's warmth and compassion touched the lives of all who knew her. Her journey on this earth was one of love and an unwavering faith in God. Her ability to light up a room with her infectious laugh and compassionate spirit will be missed by all.

Margaret is survived by her devoted children and their spouses, Maria Cristina Payan and Reid W. Cox, Manuel Ariel Payan and Beth Fagin Payan, and Zuzette Louis Payan Cullinan and Gregory Mudge Cullinan. Gigi, as she was lovingly known by her adoring grandchildren, will be dearly missed by Xavier Leon Tabanou, Helen Lena Payan, Xiomara Lucia Tabanou, Rohan Payan Cullinan and Baron Leon Payan. She is also survived by her sister, Alice Hopper, her brothers, Mike Garza and Ray Garza and their many children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Boris Leon Payan, her parents, Mary and Miguel Garza and her sister, Della Louis Byler.

Margaret graduated from Sacred Heart Dominican College with a bachelors in nursing. She met the love of her life, Boris, while working diligently in her field. After being blessed with 3 children, Margaret retired from nursing to dedicate herself to raising them and instilling in them the values of kindness, perseverance, integrity and hard work.

Margaret’s life was defined by her commitment to her family, her community and her church. She was a longstanding parishioner of St. Michael’s Catholic Church. She was a beloved member of the Sembradores de la Amistad and the Hispanic Institute, where she volunteered her time and energy to help others and promote cultural pride and education.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 5th of March, in the Jasek Chapel and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the recitation of the Holy Rosary is to commence at five o’clock in the afternoon.

A funeral service is to be offered at nine o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 6th of March, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

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

Margaret’s legacy of love, generosity, and grace will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

May she rest in peace.

Please visit Margaret’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.