Marie Gay is a big believer in doing one's homework. The owner and co-founder of Gay Buick GMC in Dickinson said she made a point from the business' early years to educate herself on merchandise, the body shop and the service department so she would be prepared to answer questions.
"Whatever they ask, I know the answers, or I can send them to the right person," said Gay, 90.
Gay's late husband, Carl Gay, established the family's first dealership in 1948 on Texas 3, the major route between Houston and Galveston at the time. He moved Gay Pontiac, Buick & GMC to its current home on the Gulf Freeway about 17 years later.
After Carl's death in 2000, Gay ran the business with her son, Don Gay.
For the past five years, she has been overseeing the dealership with her grandson, Shane Gay.
Shane's wife, Kate Gay, is in often to help. Their daughter Sophie, nearly 2, has been staring with Gay in the dealership's TV commercials.
"Everyone asks for the baby and Mrs. Gay," Kate said.
Gay said she has met her share of people over the years who have been uncomfortable with the idea of a woman dealer, but she hasn't let it worry her.
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