The Gay Ann Gustafson Endowment

Gay Ann Gustafson was an intelligent, strong, and independent woman, with boundless energy and an insatiable desire to engage with people. She had a profound curiosity about everything in life and shared her love for learning with everyone. She was a born leader, speaker, performer, and teacher whose chosen careers in religious education, ESL and elementary education amplified her natural gifts. She saw a room full of people as an opportunity to make more friends and potential dance partners. She loved all forms of dance and was an excellent and fearless dancer. She believed in helping others and volunteered for arts and education and social justice organizations throughout her life. She was also a host family for students from many different countries. She was a firm believer in education and doing what made you feel good, and was a life-long supporter of the arts, especially in the theater and dance community around Houston. She lived by the rules that everything and everyone has value, and nothing should be thrown out because it might be useful at some point in the future for some art project.

Gay Ann’s four children credit her as their inspiration to attend HSPVA: Julia Lyders Easley (Instrumental Music ’81), Pauline Lyders (Vocal Music ’86), Richard Jason Lyders (Theatre ’87), and Eric Lyders (Vocal Music ‘88). To further their mother’s ardent support of diversity and equity, the family has established the Gay Ann Gustafson Endowment in her memory. The Gay Ann Gustafson Endowment will provide Kinder HSPVA students with need-based financial assistance for private lessons, summer programs, college auditions, and other special educational opportunities. HSPVA Friends is honored to build on Ms. Gustafson’s esteemed legacy by supporting future generations of artists. On behalf of the Gustafson-Lyders family, thank you for your support.