Elizabeth DeWine Gann

Surrounded by her loving husband, Bill, and children Chris and Maggie, and large family, Elizabeth Marie DeWine Gann, 61, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the home, under Hospice care. Liz fought a valiant fight against breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer for 14 years, showing perseverance, faith, and love. Some lyrics from one of Liz’s favorite hymns, “Come follow me/for I will give you rest.” reflect Psalm 23:4 which says: “ Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Her faith gave her great comfort during these years. Liz and Bill were longtime members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Knoxville, TN.

Elizabeth Gann, was born in Knoxville, TN, on September 5, 1959 to Bob and Teresa DeWine, as the sixth of seven children. She attended St. Mary’s Elementary School, St. Joseph School, and graduated in 1977 from Knoxville Catholic High School. These years were filled with many happy times at school and at home with basketball games, dances, family picnics, trips, friends, school activities and church activities. Liz’s smiling, shining, personality and sweet spirit endeared her to all. She was fiercely loyal all her life as well as a fighter for truth and justice. Her intelligence exhibited itself in a sharp, quick mind for details and figures but she had a great sense of humor to balance the seriousness. The driving life force in her life, however, was the strong love for her family! She devoted so much time, love and intensity to her husband, parents, in-laws, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and sisters and brother, friends and co-workers. Quietly, she always remembered the little dates, days, and occasions that were important to you. She had an extraordinary ability to love others.

After attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she married the love of her life and as she said “my true soulmate”, William Carroll Gann, also a KCHS graduate who also played basketball for KCHS as did she. They had two dearly loved children, Christopher Michael Gann (Allison) and Maggie Rhea Gann Demus (Stephanos).

Liz became very involved in PTA at St. Joseph School and Knoxville Catholic High School when Chris and Maggie were in school. She served terms on the St. Joseph School Board. She worked as Room Mother, sports booster, fund raiser and Fall Festival volunteer.

Professionally, Liz was a licensed life, accident and health insurance agent who worked for CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services of Tennessee and its predecessor Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance since 1995. Most recently, she served as Office Director and New Business Specialist at the local CBIZ office. She enjoyed her work and the professionals with whom she worked! In 2017, 2018 and 2019, she was chosen as the Steven L. Gerard Legacy Award nominee and a nationwide finalist for this award in 2018 and 2019.

She is predeceased in death by her parents Bob and Teresa DeWine, Grandparents, Tom and Lillian DeWine (Meta), Dr. and Mrs. Kathleen Clancy White, and uncle William Joseph White.

She is survived by husband Bill Gann, children Christopher Michael Gann (Allison Poulin) and Margaret Rhea Gann Demus (Stephanos), grandchildren, Jacob Gann, Chase Gann, Lily Gann, Caleb Johnson (Nashville), and in February Baby Nico Demus, and Amy Gann, beloved Mother of the Gann children. Liz loved and treasured each of her grandchildren. Her love for them was unconditional and enduring – forever.

Siblings, Kathleen DeWine Benedict (Bert), Linda DeWine Martin (Jim), Margaret DeWine Duncan (Bob), Mary Nell DeWine, Michael Joseph DeWine (Barbara), Josie DeWine Graham (Randy), sister-in-law, Charlotte Mynatt and brother-in-law, Brady Gann; nephews/nieces, Kate (Ryan) Roovers, Dan (Mandi) Benedict, Ashely (Adam) Foster, David (Nikki) Martin, Seth (Jessica) Martin, Amy Duncan (Matt Haston), Adrienne Duncan Place (Charmian), Megan Duncan, Kristin DeWine Langdon (Josh), Abby DeWine Stridde (Jordan), Caroline Graham, Annie Graham, K.C. Gann (Bonnie) and family, Lance Gann (Michelle) and family, Johnny Mynatt, Vonda Mynatt. and Jennifer Mynatt. Great nephews/nieces, Carson Roovers, Catherine Roovers, Ali Benedict, Addy Foster, Ariel Foster, Sam Martin, Jackson Martin, Ella Rose Martin, Abagail Claire Martin, Lexi Duncan, Corbin Place, Reagan Stridde, and James Michael Stridde.

The Gann Family appreciates all the many healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, office workers, and other staff who helped and gave solace and care during this journey of cancer. Most especially, Elizabeth appreciated her sister, Mary Nell DeWine’s daily advice about her condition of the day. Mary Nell not only devoted herself to her career as a combat Air Force nurse and a hospital critical care nurse, but she also has cared for many, many family and friends who needed her.

The Gann Family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Sunday, December 20, 2020, at Berry-Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 Adair Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918. Funeral Mass will be said December 21, 2020, Monday at 10:00am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 414 West Vine Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. All Covid-19 guidelines regarding masks and social distancing will be observed. For those who cannot attend, the service may be viewed live streamed on the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church website at: https://icknoxville.org/

The graveside service will be held at 1:00pm at Lynnhurst Cemetery, 2300 Adair Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in Elizabeth Gann’s name to The American Cancer Society at www.donate3.cancer.org.

Elizabeth, you will be missed and celebrated. “Strength and dignity are her clothing/ And she smiles at the future.” Proverbs 31:25 Until we see your smile again….