02/15/2026

Peggy Gay Mazoch: May 31, 1947 – February 11, 2026

A bright and beautiful light quietly faded and peacefully made its way to the heavens in the early morning hours of February 11, 2026, at the age of 78 at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.

Born Peggy Jean Manning to Betty George (Sampson) and Arthur Doyle “Buddy” Manning on May 31, 1947, in Nevada County, Prescott, Arkansas, Peggy’s early years were spent on the family farm. Soon joined by her younger brother Arthur Doyle “Sonny” Manning, Jr., her father Buddy-a WWII veteran and builder by trade-moved the young family to Houston during the housing boom of the early 1950s.

Peggy attended Sam Houston High School, where she was a majorette for the drill team. Upon graduating in 1965, she attended Sam Houston State University, where she met her first husband, Don Gay (1967–1980)-the father of her two children, Don Gay Jr. and Shane Gay.

The couple left college to pursue Don’s drag racing career and the family automotive business in Dickinson, Texas. Upon the opening of the new Astrodome in 1965, Peggy became an Astrodome “Spacette,” ushering people to their seats in the new stadium.

Peggy worked for Grumman at Johnson Space Center during the early Gemini/Apollo programs before transitioning to help with the family automotive business. She proudly earned her business degree from the University of Houston. She later became a flight attendant for Continental Airlines, worked in commercial banking as a corporate designer and portfolio manager for United Bank/Bank One (decorating numerous banks throughout Houston), and concluded her career as a real estate agent and broker with the esteemed Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.

Peggy married Kerry Wayne Mazoch in 2002 in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Peggy gained two wonderful stepdaughters, Kristen and Kourtney. The couple enjoyed many years working with the National Exchange Club Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse, as well as heavy involvement with the Czech Museum of Houston.

Peggy and Kerry enjoyed spending many weekends at their lake house on Lake Travis in Austin and spent many Saturdays cheering on the University of Texas football team. They enjoyed traveling around the world with friends and family, but most of all, she cherished spending time with her five grandchildren.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, Betty George and Arthur Doyle Manning; her brother, Sonny Manning; and her previous husband, Don Gay.

Survivors include her son Don Gay Jr. and wife Kimberly; son Shane Gay and wife Katharine; stepdaughter Kristen Mazoch; stepdaughter Kourtney and husband Trey Young; sister-in-law Karen Manning; niece Melissa and husband Tyler Streiff and their children Ryder, Tanner and Hunter; five grandchildren: Eli, Caleb, and Jonah Gay, Sophie Gay, and Brayden Young; cousin Barbara and husband Joe Ellenburg and family; and cousin James and wife Kelly and family.

Services

Monday, February 16th 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Wake and Rosary Memorial Oaks Funeral Home 13001 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079

Tuesday, February 17th 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Funeral Mass St. John Vianney Catholic Church 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail Houston, Texas 77079

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Catered Reception for All Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Banquet Hall 13001 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079

Wednesday, February 18th 10:00 a.m. Burial Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery 7801 Gulf Freeway Dickinson, TX 77539

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society are appreciated.

Donate at: https://donate.cancer.org/ (or search “American Cancer Society donate” for the official page).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Feb. 15, 2026.

Funeral services provided by:Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery

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