Society

Houston’s Most Stunning Moms Turn River Oaks Country Club Into Hat Heaven

Hats Off to a Bayou City Tradition That's Coming to a Close

BY Shelby Hodge // 03.07.19

photography Jenny Antill Clifton

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Maritza Withrow, Kristy Bradshaw and her son Preston at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Virginia Steppe, Christie Sullivan, Alissa Maples at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Amanda Boffone, Jancy Hardy, Stephanie Fleck at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Bethany McCann, DeeDee Marsh at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Kim Moody and daughter Makell Moody at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Barbara Van Postman, Isabel David at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Honoree Kristy Bradshaw with her son and a table of friends at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Susan Hansen, Laura Ward, Gayla Gardner, Christie Sullivan, Valerie Dieterich, Kim Moody Divya Brown, Linda Hunsacker, Kristy Bradshaw at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Chairs Melissa Juneau, Lindley Arnoldy and Jana Arnoldy at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Veteran Bill Callahan and his service dog at the
Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Laurie Krohn, Wendy Mallory, Caitlin Bolte, Laurie Schroeder at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Dave & Laura Ward at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Divya & Chris Brown at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

Susan Hansen, Laura Ward, Gayla Gardner, Christie Sullivan, Valerie Dieterich, Kim Moody Divya Brown, Linda Hunsacker, Kristy Bradshaw at the Easter Seals of Greater Houston Hats Off to Mothers luncheon. (Photo by Jenny Antill Clifton)

The River Oaks Country Club ballroom was awash in a pastel palette of frothy chapeaux as the swans gathered for the final “Hats Off to Mothers” fundraiser benefiting Easter Seals Greater Houston.

Though it was something of a bittersweet au revoir to the popular midday fête, emcee Deborah Duncan kept the ladies and gents laughing. And there was the heartfelt interlude when Will Rollins, a veteran served by Easter Seals, talked about how his service dog, Andy, has changed his life and then he had the honor of presenting Bill Callahan, Easter Seals’ newest veteran, his new service dog, Dauber.

The 20th annual Hats Off to Mothers luncheon, chaired by Jana Arnoldy, Lindley Arnoldy and Melissa Juneau, raised $170,000 for Easter Seals programs that include veterans, children and adults with disabilities.

Taking bows as honored mothers making significant contributions to their families and the Houston community were Kristy Bradshaw, Divya Brown, Valerie Palmquist Dieterich, Gayla Gardner, Susan Arnoldy Hansen, Linda Hunsaker, Kim Moody, Christie Sullivan, and Laura S. Ward.

Adding an extra note to the day was the spring fashion show presented by Neiman Marcus.

PC Seen: Chris Brown, Rania Mankarious, Dave Ward, Heidi Smith, Isabel David, Barbara Van Postman, Virginia Steppe, Alissa Maples, DeeDee Marsh, Bethany McCann, Tracy Dieterich, Laurie Krohn, Stephanie Fleck, Amanda Boffone, and Caitlin Bolte.