Gail Alice Baumann

Born on April 29, 1938, in South Orange, NJ, to William Edward Kennedy and Helen Angela Kennedy (née McCarthy), Gail graduated from Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School in 1955 and received her degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1959. That same year, her exceptional acting talent earned her acceptance into the American Theatre Wing’s professional training program in New York City, one of the nation’s most respected actor development programs of its time.

Also in 1959, Gail attended a gathering where she asked aloud, without looking up, “Would anyone like a sandwich?” A familiar voice replied, “Yes, I would.” It belonged to Sidney James Baumann II (Sid), whom she had first met at St. Bonaventure in 1956 and had not seen since. The following is a true story.

All others in that room at the Sandwich Party faded away. Sid asked Gail out on a date. It took place the next day. On that date, they both professed their love for each other. The next day, Sid had to go to Racine, WI where he was working at the time. Sid wrote 2 to 3 letters every single day to Gail for the next 3 months. On Christmas Eve 1959, Sid returned to New Jersey and proposed to Gail. She said ‘yes!’.

For those counting, Gail and Sid saw each other in person face-to-face only 3 times before that Christmas Eve proposal.

On September 24, 1960, Gail and Sidney were married in West Orange, NJ, beginning a love story that spanned nearly 65 years. Together they raised four children and built a life full of laughter, devotion, and faith. While her greatest joy was her family, Gail never let go of her passion for live theater. She became an award-winning actress in countless plays and musicals, performing in both community and professional repertory theatre productions.

Yet Gail was equally renowned as an audience member. Her unmistakable laugh could fill an auditorium, and her enthusiastic applause left no doubt she was the #1 fan of every family member, friend, or colleague who took the stage. She mentored, encouraged, and celebrated others with a kindness and joy that defined her spirit.

Above all, Gail loved her family fiercely. She is survived by her husband, Sidney; her four children, Sidney James Baumann III (Laura Jean Moffett) of Virginia Beach, VA; Cynthia Kim Baumann of Wesley Chapel, FL; William Walter Baumann of Cambria, WI; and Christopher Douglas Baumann (Holly Lynn Baumann, née McNamara) of Virginia Beach, VA. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Garrett James Baumann (Sandra Baumann, née Smith, and their son Riley James Baumann), Emily June Baumann, Michael Paul Baumann (fiancée Mackenzye Leigh Grigsby), Katie Gail Baumann, Erin Christine Baumann, Sean Calvin Grady (Sarah Elizabeth Grady, née O’Connor, and their daughter Genesis Elizabeth Grady), Sarah Grady-Cohen (Daniel Cohen), Samuel Moffett Grady, and Sydney Catherine Grady.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Helen Kennedy, and her three siblings: Joan Kennedy Knauer, William E. Kennedy Jr., and Paul G. Kennedy.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Ascension, Virginia Beach, VA, with burial to follow at Princess Anne Memorial Park. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person at https://www.ascensionvb.org/. The stream will go live at 10:55 a.m. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 27, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel, in Virginia Beach.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund in Gail’s honor, so that this wretched disease may one day be eradicated. A dedicated donation page has been established at https://curealz.org/outreach/in-memory/gail-a-baumann/.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Maimonides Health Center of Virginia Beach, where Gail lived during the last 22 months of her life; to Suncrest Hospice, who cared for her in her final week; and to the many loved ones whose prayers, support, and memories have been a source of comfort.