CAROLYN GRANT FAY
1914-2016
Carolyn Grant Fay was born on the 6th of November, 1914 and died on Tuesday, the 9th of August, 2016.
Born 101 years ago on Galveston Island (BOI) to John F. Grant and Homoiselle Davenport Randall, Carolyn moved with her parents to Houston in 1915.
Carolyn attended The Kinkaid School in Margaret Hunter’s house on Elgin Street from kindergarten through 9th grade, and attended San Jacinto High School where she met the love of her life, her future husband, Ernest Bel Fay. She then enrolled at the Madeira School. After graduation, she attended Vassar College, while Ernest studied at Harvard. On June 11, 1936, a few days after Carolyn’s graduation, they were married in New York City. The very next day, Ernest, an avid sailor, left to sail in the Bermuda Race. Carolyn followed him on the Queen of Bermuda. The Fays spent 50 happy years sailing, dancing, traveling, and laughing through life with their many wonderful friends. After 50 years of marriage, Ernest died while racing his sailboat on Galveston Bay.
At mid-life, Carolyn developed a passion for Jungian psychology, studying first with Ruth Thacker Fry. In 1958 Carolyn, along with Alma Lloyd, Ella Winston, and Ethel Kurth, had the vision to found The C.G. Jung Educational Center of Houston, Texas. Carolyn served as president of the board of trustees for 30 years and was a role model for us all. Her passion expanded to include dance therapy and in her pursuit, she studied at the University of Houston, the University of Arizona, and received her MA in counseling and dance therapy from Goddard College.
Over the years, she became a counselor and a teacher and incorporated dance movement and other expressive arts into her work. In addition, she developed a private practice at The Jung Center. She enlarged the focus of The Jung Center by creating and adding the School of Expressive Arts to provide different avenues to experience Jung’s concepts. She taught dance therapy based on Jungian psychology. In 2014, The Jung Center named the Humanitarian Award after Carolyn Fay in honor of her 100th birthday. She was registered by the American Dance Therapy Association and The Academy of Dance Therapists.
In addition to The Jung Center, Carolyn served on the board of directors for The Junior League of Houston, The Mental Health Association of Houston and Harris County, and DePelchin Children’s Center.
Carolyn was a member of Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, Houston Country Club, Junior League of Houston, Bayou Club, Bolero Club, Garden Club of Houston, The Argyle, and The National Society of Colonial Dames of America.
Her philanthropy was widespread and included contributions to The Jung Center, The University of Houston, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The Texas Medical Center, Vassar College, Madeira School, The Fay School and the establishment of the Grant/Fay Park in the Texas Medical Center in memory of her parents.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Bel Fay, and her son, John Spencer Fay. Carolyn is survived by daughters: Marie Fay Evnochides and husband Steve, and Carolyn (Randi) Yocum and husband Sam. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jennifer Fay, John Fay and wife Christina, Sam Yocum and wife Virginia, Ken Yocum and wife Cal, Amy Fay Kuenstler, her great-grandchildren: Naomi Fay Evnochides, Siena Yocum, Christian Yocum, and Carolyn Grace Litherland, and her step grandchildren: Fawnee Evnochides and George Ducas and his children Grace and Will Ducas.
The family extends its deepest appreciation to Jeannine Northcutt and all of Carolyn’s nurses and caretakers for their compassionate care that Carolyn received during the last few years of her life.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, on Saturday, August 13th at half past ten o’clock in the morning. Immediately following, a reception celebrating her life will be held in the Great Hall. Valet parking will be available at the church.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions in Carolyn’s honor be made to The C.G. Jung Educational Center Endowment Fund and sent to The C.G. Jung Educational Center, 5200 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006, or a charity of your choice.