Mary McGrath Obituary

MARY FLANDERS PHILPOTTS MCGRATH September 1936 ~ September 2023 Mary Philpotts McGrath passed away peacefully in her beautiful Nu'uanu home, "Ahuimanu" (Gathering of the Birds), named for her Macfarlane great-grandparents' farm in Ahuimanu Valley. Mary's heart was always in Nu'uanu, where she was raised in an Old Pali Roadhouse that had been sketched on a cocktail napkin for her parents, Muriel and Walter Flanders, by a young architect named Val Ossipoff. She spent many happy hours exploring the forests that surrounded their home with her sisters and her life-long friend, Cynthia Marks Salley. From an early age the three sisters, Alice, Mary, and Judith, were known collectively within the family as ALMAJU. Mary attended Punahou School, Class of 1955. She remained in close contact with her classmates, spearheading regular get-togethers and establishing her home as Reunion Central. She attended the University of Colorado, returning to Honolulu to complete her studies in Fine Arts. While at U.H. she studied under some of Hawaii's finest artists, with whom she maintained life-long friendships. Not only did Mary have a beautiful Hawaiian heart, her remarkable resemblance to Princess Ka'iulani reached the ears of Lloyd Sexton who asked her to pose for the spectacular portrait of the Princess hanging in the lobby of the Princess Ka'iulani Hotel. While she was an accomplished artist in her own right, Mary possessed an entrepreneurial spirit. In 1962, she opened Creative Decorating with partner, Allison Holland. Over the years the firm had various names, and in 1981, became established as Philpotts & Associates Inc., presently doing business as Philpotts Interiors. From humble beginnings on Beretania Street & Circle Lane, to Sheridan Street, to Chinatown's Nuuanu Avenue, to Bethel Street and ultimately to South School Street, Mary has always encouraged and made room for young people interested in design. As her reputation grew throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Basin, Philpotts Interiors became one of Hawaii's largest and most respected interior design firms. In 2005 Mary and Kaui Philpotts, with photo images by David Duncan Livingston, co-authored Hawaii, a Sense of Place, which became an instant classic and set a new standard for Island design. In 2005, Mary & architect Philip "Pip" White, began the magical transformation of rundown buildings on South School Street, turning it into the Design Paradise, that currently houses Interior Accents, Philpotts Interiors, Place. A Design Atelier by Philpotts, and the floral shop Bloom by Place. In semi-retirement, Mary resumed her career as a working artist, always experimenting with new ways to use watercolor, pastels and collage. Her greatest joy, however, lay in printmaking. As always, Mary enjoyed collaboration, working on creative new ways to use her prized printing press with fellow artists, Kathy Merrill Kelley, Doug Tolentino, David Smith and many others. Mary's love of nature and unique style were reflected in all her projects, including her own residences. Her gracious Nuuanu home, designed by architect Hart Wood in 1924, is a true reflection of her personal sense of place. The lush surrounding gardens that she revitalized with her late husband, John McGrath, were enthusiastically shared with guests seeking an authentic tropical experience. Mary's attention was not solely devoted to art and design. She was a generous supporter of local non-profits, including The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, Ballet Hawaii, Hawaiian Humane Society, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, Assets School, and Washington Place where she served on their Boards for many years and helped establish the Washington Place Foundation with former First Lady Vicky Cayetano. As Vicky says, "Mary was instrumental in making sure that the people of Hawaii had access to Washington Place so they could learn more about the legacy of Queen Liliuokalani and the role Washington Place played in Hawaii's history." She was also an active leader in the interior design community and served on many business and government advisory committees, boards and commissions. She was the first female president of the Outrigger Canoe Club, which had been rejuvenated in the 1940s by her uncle, waterman Walter J. Macfarlane. Over her long life, she was the recipient of many awards including the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce's prestigious O'o Award. "As a designer, my job has always been to connect people to this environment and create for them 'a sense of place,' of living harmoniously with our climate and people. Fads and fashion, while acknowledged, are never primary to Island design. Instead, I try to create spaces with lasting value and timelessness, to pull from you what you already know about the way you want to live." Mary's foundational family mantra of 'work and play together' lives on with her Ohana and those she connected with throughout her life. A culturally aware role model, entrepreneur, designer, artist, and craftsman. She is survived by her children: Douglas "McD" Philpotts, an environmental artist & craftsman Mountain Wood Farm & (Sandra), Marion Philpotts-Miller, Principle- Philpotts Interiors & (Jeffrey), William G Philpotts, Chairman- Philpotts Interiors & (Vaima); grandsons Kainoa & (Arianna), and Alika Philpotts; granddaughters: Makena and Maree Miller, Nanea and Tauhani Philpotts; sisters Alice Guild and Judith Flanders, and eight adoring nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Mary's favorite charities.