Gael Wallace

Gael Lynn Holcomb Wallace was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 5, 1941, to Iola and Harry Holcomb. Shortly after her birth, the family, which included her brother, Harry, moved to Oklahoma City, where Gael graduated from Classen High School. She then attended Oklahoma State University, initially majoring in art before graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. It was at OSU that Gael met Don at a 6:30 a.m. Bible study. They were married on May 26, 1962, beginning a journey that took them to 25 different places during their first five years of marriage as they followed Don’s professional baseball career. After baseball, the family settled in Kansas City, Missouri, where their daughters, Lara Lynn and Whitney, were born. After the girls began school, Gael decided to explore her long-held artistic interests. As she began taking classes, the Lord revealed a remarkable talent within her. She went on to exhibit her watercolor and acrylic paintings in homes, art fairs, and galleries. Her work earned her recognition from the National Watercolor Society, where she became a prestigious Signature Member. When the family moved to Colorado in 1978, Gael’s lifelong dream of living in the mountains became a reality. Her love for the mountains had begun during her early childhood, and Colorado offered endless inspiration for her paintings. It also brought out her adventurous spirit. She enjoyed hiking, cross-country skiing, four-wheeling, and, later in life, exploring backcountry dirt roads—much to the questioning of her daughters! She also treasured the friendships she built throughout her life and loved spending time with the people who enriched her days. At the very heart of Gael’s life was her Christian faith, which began at a Billy Graham Crusade in Oklahoma City in the early 1950s. From that time forward, she pursued a lifelong journey of seeking to know Jesus, a journey that continued until the day she went to be with Him. Throughout the years, Gael led Bible studies, including the Manitou Women’s Study, which she faithfully served for 30 years. Her teaching and ministry took her to Cuba 16 times, and she also treasured the time she spent with her Mongolian friends when they came to visit. She served as a Mentor Mom with MOMCO at First Presbyterian Church, where she dearly loved spending time with and encouraging the young women in the group. Her comments and insights, shaped by her growing knowledge of Jesus, were always shared with grace. Gael will be dearly missed by her family and friends, but we take comfort in knowing that she is now in the presence of the Lord she loved so deeply. We imagine she is looking forward to the day when we will all be together again in His presence. Gael is survived by her husband, Don; her daughters, Lara Lynn and Whitney (Elliot); her grandchildren, Daniel, Rachel, Chloe (Jake), Brit (Hannah), Ian, and Simona; and her brother, Harry. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, artistic expression, adventure, friendship, and love that will continue through the lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to MOMCO at First Presbyterian Church, an organization Gael loved dearly.