Lillie Hart Gay Torrey

Lillie Hart Gay Torrey (née Lillie Hart; 1871–1956) was a Hawaiian painter, from Oahu. She was known for her decorative floral oil paintings.

Life and career Torrey was born on August 28, 1871, in Kohala, Hawaiian Kingdom. Her father, Judge Hart, was of British heritage while her mother was Native Hawaiian. She attended Mills College (now Mills College at Northeastern University) in Oakland, California.

Torrey was married twice, once to Francis Gay with whom she had one son, Ernest. After marriage she lived with her family at Wailele House (1911; English: Leaping Waters House), at 3148 Kalihi Street in Kalihi Valley, which was sometimes referred to as an "artist colony" due to its large size and creative residents. When her son was sent to school in Connecticut, Torrey briefly lived in the Plaza Hotel in New York City. They lived on 35th Street in New York City, and often travelled to Europe.

In her painting career, she became known for her decorative paintings of flowers. She was described as being enthusiastic about her work, producing large paintings that were popular with Hawaii's residents.

She died at the age of 85 on October 5, 1956, in St. Francis Hospice, Hawaii in Honolulu. It was repaired in the 1960s, and maintained a similar layout.