Mary Virginia Artoux

Mary Virginia Artoux, “Gini” passed away peacefully at her home in Belmont on October 18, 2026 at the age of 89. She is survived by her daughter Michelle (Erik) Meyers, son Charles (Inge), granddaughters, Marianne (Brent) Meyers and Sara (Spencer) King, sisters-in-law Shendy McAtee, Lorraine Artoux, many nieces and nephews and loving companion, John Paner.

Gini was born in Phoenix, Arizona on March 26, 1937 and moved at a young age with her parents James and Mary Jane McAtee and younger brother Jim to Long Beach where her father worked in the shipyards. A few years later the family moved to Laguna Beach where she grew up helping her parents run the Laguna Motor Inn and spending time at Crescent Bay beach. She met her husband, Roger Artoux while he was on leave from the navy in Laguna Beach. Being a golfer himself, Roger was quickly accepted by the McAtees who were avid golfers themselves and allowed her to date a “tourist”. They were married in 1957 and made their home in San Carlos before moving to nearby Belmont a few years later. They were married for 54 years until Roger’s passing in 2012.

Our mother was dedicated and loving, busy helping her husband with their business, R2 Chemical Specialties, while raising Chuck and Michelle. As PTA president, scorekeeper at Little League baseball games and neighborhood “mom”, she was very supportive of all her family’s needs and endeavors. Often taking neighborhood kids down to Searsville Lake or Santa Cruz for a day at the beach, she was always welcoming others to join in the fun.

Mom had a pretty strong competitive streak. She excelled at tennis and golf for many years and went on several golfing trips with her husband, brother Jim and wife Shendy as well as the many friends they made through their tennis and golf club memberships. Mom was very creative. A self-taught seamstress, she made most of Michelle’s school clothes growing up as well as many years of Halloween costumes for her grandchildren. Some other hobbies over the years included stained glass, mosaic, knitting and crocheting, but most notably, oil painting. After a few lessons with a professional artist mom quickly filled their and her children’s homes with beautiful artwork. She was an avid gardener, maintaining her beautiful Belmont garden herself until it was no longer possible to do so. She always had a book in her hands, a lifelong reader and learner, she enjoyed nonfiction most of all.

Mom was well liked by everyone she met. Outgoing and friendly, she made friends easily and enjoyed learning everyone’s life story. The 3 Brittany spaniels in her life were a joy, particularly Buddy who was challenging, yet a wonderful companion after her husband passed. She was generous with her time, stopping for a conversation with whoever she met while on a dog walk, helping others with knitting projects or volunteering with Red Shoes, a local charity. She also donated to POST, Peninsula Open Space Trust annually.

Mom was a big game player where her competitiveness really shone, be it a board game with grandchildren, or cards with adults she took every move seriously. One of her last favorite pastimes was puzzling. She enjoyed working puzzles on her phone for hours at a time. When she got the daily wordle answer and sent it out to us with heart and flower emojis we knew she was doing well and having fun.

The family would like to acknowledge the excellent care and compassionate support she received from her physicians and other providers in the Sutter Health System.

She will be interned at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in a private family ceremony.

The family thanks you for your condolences and support and requests that you send a favorite memory of Gini. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to POST (openspacetrust.org) or the charity of your choice.