Gracia Parkhill Dayton, age 89, passed away on February 26, 2024 with her three children by her side. Her beloved husband of 67 years, Bruce M. Dayton, passed away the previous June.  Gracia is survived by her family; three children, Heather married to Dave Wilson, Jon married to Hendy Dayton and Greg engaged to Tanya Peterson, and her 7 grandchildren: Tyler, Tucker, Grace, Skyler, Tommy, Jackson and Noa.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother who made us feel loved.  She connected deeply with each of her grandchildren and was devoted to her husband Bruce.  We like to think of them as united together again.

Gracia was raised in Belmont, MA where she had great memories of a happy childhood. She adored her younger brother, Sam - James Samuel Parkhill III and her parents, James Samuel Parkhill Jr, and Mary Farnham Parkhill.

Gracia graduated from Skidmore College in 1956 with a BS in Art Education. She took courses throughout her life in printmaking, mixed media and watercolor.  She loved teaching and led multiple international workshops. She was inspired by her students who were devoted to her. She remained loyal to Skidmore College throughout her life and was a supporter of the Frances Young Tang Teaching Art Museum and Gallery on campus built in  2000.

She married Bruce in 1956 and after a brief time in San Francisco they raised their family in Lexington, MA. The family spent summers in the Catskill Mountains in New York where Gracia had a studio and was continually inspired by the landscape there that was made famous by the Hudson River painters in the 19th century.

Gracia is known for her art career.  She is the recipient of numerous awards and prizes. Among them are a New England Watercolor Society gold medal, Watercolor Exhibition prizes from Texas, Alabama and Cambridge Art Association in MA. Gracia won the competition for the official bicentennial poster in Lexington in 1976. She was commissioned by the mayor to do the Boston poster for  World Cup Soccer in 1994. The Bostonian Hotel in Faneuil Hall commissioned four watercolor paintings of Boston for reproduction in all their rooms in 1985. Gracia has shown her work nationally and internationally in solo and group exhibitions and is represented in corporate collections throughout the world. One of her greatest honors was receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Watercolor Society in 2018.

Gracia was a founding member of Depot Square Artist's Gallery in Lexington, MA, a cooperative gallery that held shows for member artists from 1981 - 2009.

Gracia worked in a variety of media but is most well known for her watercolor paintings.  Her large canvases, use of brilliant color and expressive brushstrokes reflect her vibrant personality. She was inspired by landscapes from her travels with Bruce and by her beloved Catskill Mountains. Gracia said, "The landscape is the spring from which my paintings emerge.  The patterns and shapes of mountains, sea, gardens and forest supply the repertoire of my compositions."

In addition to her career as an artist and teacher, she was a gracious entertainer who loved hosting parties and gatherings for friends and family. She was an athlete who excelled at tennis, swimming and golf and was an avid competitor. She was curious about the world and often took courses in art history. She loved fashion and always looked stunning.

She will be sorely missed by her family and friends. We are grateful to have had her in our lives.

There will be a service on Monday, March 18th at 3:15 pm to honor Gracia and other members of the Carleton Willard Community.  Guests are welcome.

Carleton Willard

100 Billerica Road

Bedford, MA 01730

A Family Service will be held this summer in the Catskill Mountains.