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Houston Couple Inspired Waltz Across Texas for 25th Annual Shrimp Boil

July 30, 2014

Houston Couple Inspired Waltz Across Texas for 25th Annual Shrimp Boil

HOUSTON – Thirty-five years ago, Judy and Joe Pareya could be seen on the dance floor at Gilley’s following the choreography of Patsy Swayze and awaiting their film debut as extras in the 1980 release of Urban Cowboy.

Six years later, the couple known for their love of the two step and Johnny Lee’s music, would open Lite House Pub in southeast Houston. Just a few miles away, The Rose was receiving its nonprofit status as a provider of mammograms and diagnostic services for the insured and uninsured.

In the next couple of decades, the two paths would converge. Judy and Joe would become major fundraisers for The Rose, which now serves more than 35,000 women each year with two facilities and a mobile program in soon-to-be 35 counties. The Pareyas could be seen on the dance floor of  the Annual Shrimp Boil which is The Rose’s largest fundraiser each year and is made possible through support like the party baskets (they’re called “booze barrels” now) contributed by the bar owners.

Unfortunately, the turn of the century also marked a turn in the Pareyas’ health. Both would be hit with cancer. Judy would become a breast cancer survivor, and Joe would pass away.

Such is the inspiration behind a “Waltz Across Texas,” this year’s one-of-a-kind quilt design by Ella Rawlinson Thomas, sister to Joe and a twelve-year friend and supporter of The Rose.

“We all owe Judy thanks. The concept of a Texas music themed quilt is hers. She has been asking me to do one for years but I just couldn’t put my head around what to do and then I saw the gold toned ‘grunge’ fabric and thought it would make a neat looking ‘well-used’ guitar,” noted Thomas, who to date has helped raise more than $30,000 with her quilt designs which always fetch top dollar at the annual live auction within the Shrimp Boil.

To Judy, a lover of music, dance, and a great cause, the quilt represents the convergence of her passions. “Music has always been a big part of my life and has brought much enjoyment. Joe and I danced during our courting years and kept up the pace throughout our married life. We have been lucky enough to have seen so many of the great country and western artists over the past 50 years,” said Judy, now retired after 27 years in the service industry.

“When Ella started designing and sewing the beautiful quilts for The Rose Shrimp Boil she always asked for suggestions. For the past several years I have suggested Waltz Across Texas because Texas has so many great artists and ‘dance halls’. Of course, I had no idea of how she could bring it together. She is a very gifted designer and has to be a pretty good engineer to figure out how to place everything and bring it together in such a cohesive design.”

Included in the design are the names and/or logos of many of Judy and Joe’s favorites — Johnny Lee, George Jones, Ray Price, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Ella echoed a love for Willie, Waylon and friend Johnny Lee and added other personal favorites:  Roy Orbison (“the most beautiful voice God ever created”), ZZ Top, and Meatloaf. In all, the work of art incorporates the names of 35 Texas-born music artists and historical venues – including Gilley’s.

The 25th Annual Shrimp Boil is Judy’s 13th as a member of the annual planning committee. Through the years, she’s encouraged friends and family to join her. Sharon Cho and Mark Meeker now take responsibility for the homemade desserts sold and the thousands of pounds of shrimp that are boiled. Bee Martinez helps Judy’s daughter Jennifer run the beer and wine sales during the annual event. Last week Jennifer raised more than $1,000 for The Rose at the Da Stadium Sports Bar in Pasadena as a precursor to the Shrimp Boil. Friend Cheryl Cochran is this year’s Committee Chair.

Knowing what it feels like to hear the words, “you have cancer” and all the strength needed to endure what comes after, Judy’s praise is even more significant and profound, “I could never tell you how much I love Ella and thank her for all the time, money, sweat, stress, and tears that it takes to make one of these beauties. She is awesome.”

“’Awesome’ is exactly the word I would use to describe Judy as well,” said The Rose CEO and Co-Founder Dorothy Gibbons. “As the result of an equally awesome commitment from Judy Pareya, many more women will waltz across Texas in the years to come. I am so grateful to her for all the people she has brought to our Shrimp Boil table through the years – Ella, Jennifer Mark, Sharon, Bee, Cheryl and so many more. As a result, the Pareyas have a legacy that no one can deny.”

To see the quilt (and make a bid), plan on attending the 25th Annual Shrimp Boil, Saturday, August 2, from 3-8 p.m. The live auction is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with fan favorite Bear Hebert calling out the winners.

To purchase tickets online – with all proceeds benefiting The Rose – go to www.TheRose.org.