Lelia Lynne Paine

Lelia Lynne Murphy Paine passed away peacefully on October 24, 2022 surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kate Allen Waters and Walter Joseph Murphy, her sister Patricia Allen Whitney, and her nephew James Allen Starr. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Louis B. Paine, Jr., her three sons, Louis III, Preston, and Jeffrey Paine and his wife, Paula, and seven grandchildren: Preston Jr., Nilla, Emma and Grace Paine of Dallas and Charlotte, Jeffrey Jr. and Isabelle Paine of Houston.

Lynne was born on November 28, 1934 in Washington D.C. Her family moved to Altadena, California in 1945. She attended John Muir High School where she was a cheerleader and a member of the Order of Distinguished Service, the school’s scholastic honor society. She attended UCLA, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and graduated in 1956 with a B.A. in Elementary Education. After one year teaching third grade in Culver City, California, Lynne moved to Coronado where she taught elementary school for three years. It was there that she met Louis Paine when he was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy and stationed in San Diego. Lynne and Louis were married on July 23, 1960 and moved back to Louis’ hometown of Houston, Texas, where they raised their family and embraced and served their community with devotion.

While raising her three sons and thereafter, Lynne was the consummate mom, grandma, wife, counselor, and friend to many. She drove car pools to school events, attended little league games and was there with prayerful support and a sense of humor for her boys as she made sure everyone was fed when needed, especially at their family home on Lake Travis. Her children and grandchildren will not soon forget their “mamaw”, at the ripe young age of 75, speeding along behind their boat riding an inner tube! For many years, Lynne was active at St. Michael’s Catholic Church where she earned a certificate to work on Parrish Council, taught CCD, and in 1978, served as President of the Women’s Guild. She was a member of the Junior League of Houston and memorably played the part of Eeyore in the Jr. League’s TUTS production of Winnie the Pooh at Miller Outdoor Theater. She enjoyed serving as a Docent with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and spent many years playing tennis at The Houston Country Club with lady friends, whom she treasured and adored. She also managed to maintain close contact with her California girlfriends whom she hosted for many Texas Hill Country outings over the years.

Perhaps Lynne’s most profound legacy stems from her response to a family mental health crisis which arose during the teenage years of her eldest son. Faced with great uncertainty and an under-resourced mental healthcare system in the late 1970’s in Texas, Lynne decided to deal with her family’s challenges head-on. She returned to college, obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from The University of Houston, and went on earn the designation of Licensed Professional Counselor. In 1986, Lynne, along with fellow mental health advocates Nancy Runnels and Beverly Wunch, founded The Gathering Place, a unique community clubhouse for adults suffering from mental disabilities. The organization was created so members could have a place to go for activities, support, job-training, comradery, and fellowship, while also giving caregivers a needed respite. The Gathering Place still exists today as part of The Menninger Clinic, which is the 9th raked psychiatric healthcare organization in the United States according to US News & World Report. Lynne also went on to establish what became a thriving counseling practice which she led until 2018, and through which she helped and guided many people along the way. Several of Lynne’s children and grandchildren are advocates for mental health causes, and her example of determination, compassion, persistence, and perseverance is one to be admired, celebrated, and applauded. Thank you, Mamaw, much love and rest well.

A funeral service and celebration of Lynne’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, the 31st of October, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road Houston, TX 77098.

The family would like to thank Lynne’s longtime caregiver Ms. Carolinas Molina, along with Edna Paine Wilson for their love and support. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to:

The Gathering Place

c/o The Menninger Clinic

12301 Main Street

Houston, Texas 77035

www.menningerclinic.org/donate

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/houston-cremation for the Paine family.