Lavern "Lal" Norris Gaynor

Beloved pillar of our Naples community, Lavern “Lal” Norris Gaynor passed away peacefully at her home with family at her side on April 12, 2021.

Lavern was born and raised in St. Charles, Illinois on December 20, 1923, eldest child of widely respected philanthropists Dellora Angell and Lester J. Norris.

Lavern attended Northwestern University, graduating in 1945 with a B.A. in Liberal Arts. She was a member of their Board of Trustees from 1976 to 1994 at which time she was named Lifetime Trustee. She was also one of three original members of the NU Alumni Club of Greater Naples over 40 years ago and remained an Honorary Board member.

In 1946, Lavern married George H. Gaynor, a young dynamic executive with the Texas Oil Company (Texaco). Initially, the couple lived in New York where they started their family. In 1953, when Texaco entrusted George with the expansion of their overseas operations, they lived in Belgium, and then Italy, where they raised their daughter, DeeDee, and their son, George.

Even though Lal lived overseas for many years it was really during her first visit to the area in 1945 with her parents, who subsequently purchased the Keewaydin Club on Key Island, that inspired her affinity for the Island and all of Naples. Over many years, the Gaynor’s and other Norris family members vacationed there together often. After her father passed away, Lavern oversaw operations at the Keeywadin Club until its sale several years later. She met this challenge with diligence and success, despite a lack of formal experience.

Following George’s retirement in 1976, the couple settled in Port Royal. Lavern and George soon became recognized among the most charitable Neapolitan couples.

Mirroring and then carrying on her parents’ legacy, their time, energy and financial support were generously given throughout Collier County. Subsequently, Lavern’s impact alone, as an unpretentious leader, profoundly influenced Naples and Collier County in such a positive way that the area is recognized as a wonderful place to live.

Lavern’s kindness, generosity, and humanitarian spirit are exemplified in her love for children and desire to nurture a good future for them. She believed every child should be given the opportunity to realize their potential, their dreams and to lead productive lives. She often provided the opportunity, frequently offering a positive and constructive approach within the educational and organizational arenas where she served. Lavern’s advocacy and commitment to bettering children’s lives reflected her core values. Her reward was to see children’s and young adults’ dreams realized.

Lavern was dignified, gracious, fiercely independent, with a great sense of humor. She was a good storyteller whose radiant smile lit up a room. She believed in lifelong learning, that those who continually seek knowledge in its various forms experience one of the best gifts life has to offer. For her ardent support of education, and her passionate advocacy for children and families, she transcended her role as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother to be remembered as an extraordinary woman who benefited her community. She was exceptionally, financially supportive to many organizations, but it was her tremendous amount of time and energy that she gave freely that was most impressive. Over the years, Lal was paid tribute as one of this community’s most esteemed and valued citizens, and someone who individually made a difference in the lives of so many. The list of her achievements is long and a few highlights include:

A decade ago, Lal founded Naples Backyard History to promote, preserve, and provide educational experiences about Naples’ past to young residents and visitors. Her thought was that by helping others develop a sense of place, people are more likely to care about their community. Through the organization she was also financially responsible for enabling the Naples Pier cam.

Lal’s personal commitment to the Education Foundation – Champions for Learning has been since its beginnings 30 years ago and it includes generous endowments and support for early learning and beyond programs and initiatives. Among many accolades from the organization, she was the proud recipient of the first Heart of the Apple Award. Today, Champions has a permanent home, as Lal was one of the main supporters who helped them secure the space needed to carry out their mission in the community. Her active involvement and belief in the organization, and with Future Ready Collier, never diminished.

In 1997, Lal was named International College’s (now Hodges University) inaugural Humanitarian of the Year for her vision and support. Later, Lal endowed the Lavern Norris Gaynor President’s Chair allowing the college to move into its own free- standing building, the George H. Gaynor Building.

For many years you could find Lal on her birthday at the Greater Naples YMCA, surrounded by young children, celebrating with hand-made items that she cherished and remain on display in her home. In 2010, The Gaynor Child Development Center was born. Since the Y’s inception, Lal was most instrumental in helping develop their early learning programs and serving on the board, eventually becoming a Lifetime Honorary Member of the Board, in recognition of her unfailing love of children and commitment to the Y. She was twice named as the ‘YMCA Pre- Eminent Pioneer’.

In 2018, Lal established the “Lal Gaynor Early Learning & Beyond Fund” at the Community Foundation of Collier County. In creating this fund it was Lal’s intent to further help support early childhood learning and after - education related programs, initiatives and strategies for all students in Collier County.

Probably the most significant honor and tribute that Lal received was the naming of the “Lavern Gaynor Elementary School” in 2020. It was a testament to her lifetime of giving and generosity that was simply her way of life. There is no one who was more deserving. The vote by the school board members was unanimous as was the nomination by the community at-large.

Lal always worked to help worthy causes close to her heart and there were so many that she supported over her many years in Naples. Because her interests were focused on all aspects of education, children, and conservation, some other (but not all) of those organizations important to her included Youth Haven, Pathways, Future Ready Collier, David Lawrence Center, the Conservancy and Rookery Bay. She also supported many other organizations that provided for varied community needs. A few among them being The Naples Historical Society, Collier Senior Resource Center, Neighborhood Health Clinic, St Matthews House, Naples Community Hospital and The Community Foundation of Collier County.

Lal was predeceased in death by her loving husband, parents and all of her siblings.

She is survived by her daughter, Lavern (DeeDee) Spence and son-in-law William Spence, and her son, George (Brud) Gaynor and daughter-in-law, Nancy Gaynor, all of Chicago. Her five grandchildren also survive her, Kelly (Paul) Spence Meyer, Tyler Spence, Ryan (Lauren) Spence, George (Lindsey) Gaynor and Geoffrey (Tess) Gaynor and six great-grandchildren – Liam, Olivia & Corynne Meyer and Beatrice, Ruby and Winston Gaynor. Lal was devoted to her family and was especially fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all who gave her such special joy.

She very much loved her many friends and her community. A special thanks to Elaine Bradley of A Nursing Connection and nurses, Cindy, Judy and Leslie, who provided invaluable care. Also, thank you to Maira Flores, who proudly kept Lal’s home in good order for many, many years and heartfelt gratitude to her loyal, longtime assistant and friend, Judy Coleman.

A Celebration of Lal’s Life will be held at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens on Sunday, May 2nd at 3:00 PM. This will be an outdoor celebration on the grounds of Naples Memorial Gardens.

For those desiring, please consider memorial contributions in Lal’s name to the “Lal Gaynor Early Learning & Beyond Fund” at the Community Foundation of Collier County or to Champions for Learning, Naples, FL for their programs or to support the Lavern Gaynor Elementary School.