Elzanna Gay Hemmerling Parker, June 19, 1930 – January 25, 2023. The last piece of the quilt was ready to be stitched in place. On January 25, 2023, Elzanna Gay completed her mission to bring color and perfect composition to a fragmented and fractured world. She forged ahead, needle in hand with her trusty sewing machine along to fulfill her passions. She best expressed it herself. “Color lifts our spirits, gives us pleasure and expresses our moods.” She was consistent in her choices (no pale blue or pinks for her!). Her commitment to her journey began early, knowing that her red hair and freckled complexion (her Scottish forebears) could be put to best use in presenting a gal ready to tackle the world. Her parents, not knowing as an infant when they adopted her, that she had a goal in mind. Her mother, Theresa Wellborn, was once mayor of Napa. Her father, Walter Hemmerling was a teacher and mentor for many years in Napa academics. Her parents found that they had a determined lass in hand, anxious to grow with her interest in design and color.
After completing an art degree from UC Berkeley in 1952, Gay was looking for a vehicle to test her artistic yearnings. An interim job at Gump’s in San Francisco opened a new world to her, acquainting her with the arts in many forms. Later, she found a new direction – quilts and wearable art! Along the way she met and married the ever-patient Ken Parker, a forensic scientist. He preceded Gay in passing by several years, as did their son, Dean and her only sibling, Larry Hemmerling. She leaves behind special “grands” Jacob and Madelynne as well as an extended family consisting of the Carol Westfall family (sister of Ken), cousin Bruce Winegar and family.
She never wavered in her interest in learning new techniques or experiencing adventures to bring color to an otherwise drab world. She was an ardent supporter of the Richmond Art Center, working in the gift shop, taking classes and she was a founding member of the Racettes. Not to be confused with the more well-known NYC Rockettes. The Racettes helped with RAC exhibitions, staffed the gift shop and continued meeting . . . for the next 50 years. Gay was never one to shy away from trying new things. Color was her master and she used it to enhance every aspect of her environment, including clothing, paintings, quilts, and her home. Painted landscapes using pallet brushes also cropped up then and again.
She fostered many close friendships from sewing with the “GABs” on trips to Bodega. The Napa Gals remained her close friends throughout life, often celebrating during their 60-year journey from 7th grade! Membership in the East Bay Heritage Quilters and the Valley Stitchers and Fiber Artists Guild kept her up on the latest techniques (always learning).
Her creativity and sharp awareness in her work will be sorely missed. Her convictions – be they in color, design, or her own determination to create – led her along many roads and friendships. Gay was truly one of a kind, generous, and sometimes temperamental. She will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life will follow when the colorless months are over. Think ahead to April. For further information, contact rememberegp@icloud.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Gay Hemmerling Parker, please visit our Tribute Store.
Send Flowers
