Laura Sandifer McGown

Laura Sandifer McGown

Artist, Educator and Community Volunteer

Laura Sandifer McGown, 92, died peacefully at home on Monday, December 1, 2025.

Memorial Service: 2 pm Saturday, December 20, 2025 in the Chapel at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, 2700 McPherson Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76109. Visitation: The family will welcome friends at the Church following the service.  Burial: Private at Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to a charity of your choice.

Laura was born in Fort Worth on April 30, 1933 to John Seay and Margaret Hamilton Sandifer. She attended Fort Worth Public Schools and Rosemary Hall in Connecticut before earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Texas. She married George Quentin McGown, III on June 25, 1955, moving to Austin shortly afterward where Quentin began legal studies at The University and where their first son, George Quentin McGown, IV was born. After receiving his commission in the United States Navy, the family moved to Japan where LtJG McGown served as Naval Postmaster at Yokohama and Laura immersed herself in studying Japanese art. After returning to Texas, Quentin completed his law degree and the family moved back to Fort Worth, where they welcomed their second son, John Sandifer McGown.

The arts in Fort Worth were central to Laura’s life. An accomplished artist herself, having studied with Bror Utter and Evaline Sellars among others, she served for many years as a docent at the Fort Worth Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum, as gallery manager for her friend and fellow artist Evelyn Siegel and as Siegel’s teaching assistant at Fort Worth Country Day School. As a member of the Junior League of Fort Worth, Laura conceived and organized the children’s art area in the first years of Mayfest and served as design coordinator for the League’s Fortieth Anniversary celebration. She served on the board of the Fort Worth Opera, as chair of the Scott Theatre Committee for the Fort Worth Art Association and as managing director of her dear friend Margo Dean’s School of Ballet. For several years, she greeted thousands of visitors to the Kimbell Art Museum, working both in the museum’s Buffet Restaurant and as a member of the guest services team. Laura continued to paint and create until shortly before her death.

Laura made her debut at the 1952 Steeplechase Ball and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and the Assembly. She and Quentin and their wide circle of friends spent years focused on boats and championing youth sailing, in particular, from the docks and slips of the Fort Worth Boat Club.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Seay Sandifer, Jr., her husband of 51 years, Quentin, and her infant daughter, Kevin Seay McGown. She is survived by her sons, Quentin, and his wife Laurie; John and his wife, Joy and their son Patrick; her brother-in-law, Grey McGown and his family and her Sandifer nephews and nieces. The family is grateful to Jon Helm for his kind help and support over the past few months. Laura leaves behind many close and lifelong friends who will remember her as someone who saw art in everything.