Margaret Gail Waytena

Gail was born on April 2, 1943, in Elmira, New York, the daughter of the late Jane F. and Frank Hoobler. She was the younger sister of the late James Hoobler and the niece of the late Isabelle Ferguson.

Gail met her future husband, Gary, during her childhood in Elmira, where they first crossed paths in elementary school. He was her first boyfriend in the fifth grade. After experiencing life and college separately, they found their way back to each other and went on to share 53 loving years of marriage.

Gail graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Olivet College in 1967, where she was a member of the Soronian Society. She later earned a master’s degree from Elmira College in 1971. She taught third grade at Big Flats Elementary School in Horseheads, NY, and later at Hawthorne Elementary School in Glen Ellyn, IL. Gail eventually retired to focus on raising her children and running the household, a role she embraced with pride. She had a strong presence in the classroom, deeply loved her students, and often shared stories about them long after retiring.

Gail lived in East Amherst, New York, before settling in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she spent the last 30 years of her life. She enjoyed music and dancing, playing golf and tennis, traveling, and especially shopping. Talbots was her favorite destination; she treated it like her personal playground and knew nearly everyone who worked at locations throughout the Buffalo and Charlotte areas. She was also famously skilled at removing spots and stains from just about anything.

Gail approached everything with her signature feisty spirit. Never one to hold back, she could always be counted on to speak her mind with warmth, wit, and confidence.

She is survived by her loving husband, Gary; her daughter, Michelle (Brian); and her son, Michael.

Gail will be remembered for her infectious verve, boundless energy, and the confident, candid way she lived her life as a loving wife and mother, breast cancer survivor, devoted teacher, and shopping enthusiast.

We extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to the staff and nurses of the Memory Care Unit at Briar Creek Health Center at The Barclay for the patience, empathy, and compassionate care they provided during her time there. Their dedication to the residents is truly remarkable.

In place of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A memorial and celebration of Gail’s life will be held at a later date.