Gail Mawhinney
Gail Sargent Mawhinney, 85, of Fayetteville, passed away September 23, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Allentown, PA and grew up in the Philadelphia, PA area. She was the daughter of the late Lena and Richard Sargent.
Gail was Valedictorian of her class at Springfield Township High School. In 1948 she graduated from Syracuse University Magna Cum Laude, majoring in Liberal Arts/Education.
While at SU, she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, Eta Pi Upsilon Senior Women’s Honorary, Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honorary, Pi Lambda Theta Education Honorary, and the Tabard English Honorary Society. She also served as Vice President of Women’s Student Government. Gail’s support of SU continued well after graduation as a member of the Eta Pi Upsilon Alumni Board whose members received the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award in 2008.
Gail taught English at Morris-ville High School and at Percy Hughes School.
Gail’s involvement in the Syra-cuse Commu-nity included The Junior League, Daughters of the American Revolu-tion, and Tuesday Book Club.
She was also a member of Park Central Presby-terian Church. She enjoyed volunteering as an assistant to the librarian at Jamesville-DeWitt High School.
Gail’s interest in animals and nature was fulfilled each summer with her time at the family home on Big Moose Lake.
She was a member of the Big Moose Community Chapel and sang in the choir. She was an enthusiastic member of the Big Moose Canoe Crew whose weekly trips throughout the Adirondacks were featured in Adiron-dack Life Maga-zine.
Gail enjoyed swimming the three-mile-long annual “Lake Swim” on Big Moose Lake for thirteen consecutive years.
Gail’s love of her family was continually demonstrated through her unwavering support, never ending enthusiasm and wonderful sense of humor.
Gail’s pivotal role and skills as Family Manager always kept the family running smoothly. Her focus on always thinking of others serves as a shining example to her children and grandchildren.
Gail is survived by Donald M. Mawhinney, Jr., her loving husband of 62 years; their children: Diane (Steve) Baker of Eagle Bay, Bruce (Linda) Maw-hinney of Highlands Ranch, CO, Joyce (Craig) MacKnight of Syracuse, and Carol (Mike) Canne of Syracuse; eight grandchildren: Dave (Carey) Baker, Elizabeth and Gail Canne, Bryce, Connor and Paige Mawhinney, and Halle and Alex MacKnight; two great-grandchildren: Owen and Liam Baker; brother-in-law H. Follett Hodgkins, Jr., and several much loved nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 4 at DeWitt Community Church, 3600 Erie Blvd. East in DeWitt.
A memorial service will be held by Rev. Edwin F. Taylor at the church on Friday, October 5 at 11 a.m.
The family expresses its appreciation to Menorah Park for the thoughtful and professional care they provided to Gail.
Contributions may be made to the SU/Eta Pi Upsilon Scholarship Fund c/o Sally Kelly, 4202 Henneberry Road, Manlius, NY 13104. Also, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, CNY Chapter, 441 Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse, NY 13204, or to a charity of choice.
Arrangements are being handled by the Fairchild & Meech DeWitt Chapel.
