Jean Gaskin

Mrs. Gaskin died on March 12, 2012 at The Stewart Health Center at The Cypress. She was born July 11, 1924 in Oak Park, Illinois and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in speech pathology. Following the completion of her education she moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she met and married E. Reed Gaskin, MD. Later they moved to Charlotte where Jean started The Carriage, Inc., a ladies’ clothing store, in 1958. She was a member of Myers Park Baptist Church and a member of the local P.E.O. chapter.

Mrs. Gaskin was involved in many charitable groups in Charlotte. She became President of The Mecklenburg Medical Alliance in 1983, where she was instrumental in starting an endowment and MAES Inn. She was a member of the Presbyterian Hospital Endowment Board, Queens College Business Advisory Board, Mercy Hospital Board of Visitors, First Charlotte Bank and Trust Co. Board and the Charlotte Symphony Board. Mrs. Gaskin was always proud to let people know that she was a lifetime Trustee at Wake Forest University.

In 1989, she became President of Applied Electronics, a local lighting business. She always loved and supported music and the arts. She helped start the costume collection at The Mint Museum of Art. Mrs. Gaskin also enjoyed following college basketball. She was an active entrepreneur who always gave 100% to all the projects and causes that she supported over the years. She loved her family and loved to laugh! She had a quick wit and great sense of humor!

Survivors include son, Dr. Lewis Gaskin (wife Carolyn); daughter, Jean G. Davis; daughter, Kathy Sawrey (husband James, “Scooter”); eight grandchildren, Reed Gaskin, David Gaskin, Ross Gaskin, MacGreagor Stevenson, Crockett Stevenson, Taylor Sawrey, Meredith Sawrey and Vance Sawrey; nieces and nephews; and dear family friend, Dale Sparks.

Mrs. Gaskin was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. E. Reed Gaskin, and brother, William Hopson.

The family offers a special thank you to the staff at The Stewart Health Center at The Cypress, and our dear friends at Hospice and Palliative Care.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at noon, at Myers Park Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service in Heaton Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Music at Myers Park Baptist Church 1900 Queens Road Charlotte, NC 28207; Wake Forest University School of Divinity, PO Box 7227 Winston-Salem, NC 27109; or Hospice Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.