Gwendolyn Hoyle Hoyle McGrady

OBITUARY FOR GWENDOLYN HOYLE MCGRADY Gwendolyn "Gwenn" Nettlee Hoyle McGrady (82), of Hickory, NC, went to be with her Lord on August 25, 2017, in Charlotte, NC, after a brief illness. Mrs. McGrady was born February 27, 1935, in Valdese, NC, and was the oldest daughter of the late John Russell Hoyle and Ruth Taylor Hoyle. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth L. McGrady (87) of Hickory, NC; four siblings and their spouses: Henry Clay Hoyle and his wife Shirley Hoyle, Verna Hoyle Hallman and her husband, Glen Hallman, Joe David Hoyle and his wife, Twyla H. Hoyle, and Jill Hoyle Phillips; her nieces and nephews: Joan Hoyle Tickle and her husband Jack Tickle, Glenda Hallman Bradley, H.C. "Sandy" Hoyle and his wife Lisa Hoyle, Hal S. Hallman, John Russell Hoyle, Samantha Hallman, Amanda Hoyle Burri and her husband, Stuart H. Burri, Adam Christopher Phillips, Allen "Bo" Phillips, and James Russell "Rusty" Hoyle; seventeen grandnieces and grandnephews: Tyler McCoy Mull, Henry Nolan Mull, Catherine Bradley King, Hunter Addison Bradley, Daniel Clay Hoyle, Sarah Beth Hoyle Lail, Taylor Elijah Hallman, Jeremy Glen Hallman, Aaron Reynolds Smith, Trevor Austin Hoyle, Greyson Lane Hoyle, Emma Ruth Burri, Graham Heinrich Burri, Audrey Grace Burri, Annie Taylor Phillips, and Christopher Hoyle; and four great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. She is also survived by her stepchildren: Nancy McGrady Knox (Steve), Patricia McGrady Tomlinson (Dean), and Kendal McGrady Morris (Dennis), and their families. Mrs. McGrady was a 1953 graduate of Hildebran High School, where she played bass drum in the marching band and was a member of the chorus, often having been a featured soloist. While in high school, she also served as a pianist at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church. These were early illustrations of her lifelong-love of all types and styles of music. She could perform nearly any type of song on the piano, had a beautiful voice, and knew the lyrics to countless songs, especially hymns and songs by Nat King Cole. After graduating high school, she spent the next nearly twenty years living the life of a military spouse. During this time, she lived in New Mexico, Texas, Maine, Sumpter, SC, and Goldsboro, NC, and worked for the United States Air Force Civil Service. In the 1970’s, she returned to Hickory, NC, where she worked at IBM for 20 years in customer service and as a librarian. Her time at IBM made her an early and enthusiastic computer buff. She continued to be active in the digital world even in the last part of her life, regularly keeping in touch with family and friends through social media. Throughout her life, the best description of Gwenn was that she was of a true “renaissance woman,” having talent and knowledge in many fields and interests that were varied and sophisticated. She was an accomplished artist, who spent decades capturing the faces of her family in portraits, painting landscapes and still lifes, and even teaching art for several years. She loved to garden, grow flowers and plants of all kinds, and always knew the name of even the most random plant. She was a talented seamstress, a crossword puzzle wizard, and an avid reader, with penchant for fantasy novels like Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. She was passionate about history, especially that of her family. She spent decades conducting extremely thorough genealogical research, and annually gifted four generations of family members with a photo-filled calendar of birthdays. She also designed and created unique birthday cards for family and friends, and faithfully arranged family gatherings to celebrate each family member’s birthday. Another love of hers was travel. Through the years, in addition to the many military posts, she traveled around the world. Some favorites were her travel throughout Europe, a trip to the Panama Canal, and a cruise re-launching the Queen Elizabeth II. But, most of all, throughout her entire life, she loved birds and animals of any kind, most especially dogs. She is now with her sweet dog Petey, and a long line of others. Although she did not have any biological children, she showed a steadfast devotion to all her nieces and nephews as well as their children. Over the years, she attended countless concerts, church events, and school performances, fulfilling the role of grandparent to many. She even housed several of her young relatives on the occasion of difficulties in their lives. As Gwenn’s own mother, Ruth Hoyle, noted in her journal, her other children “had families of their own,” but Gwenn actually “has us all and we love her for the way she gives of herself.” Gwenn was a member of West Hickory Baptist Church for the last 20 years, where she also sang in the adult choir. She was active in many clubs and organizations such as the Hickory Choral Society, The Kiwanis Club, The Arts Council of Catawba County, and assorted groups affiliated with the Democratic Party. The family of Gwendolyn Hoyle McGrady would like to express our deepest gratitude to Reverend Scott Frady for his willingness to go the extra mile (and more) during Gwenn's illness and passing. He cared for us as though we were his own family and lovingly guided us through our journey. Additionally, we appreciate the dedicated and outstanding medical staff at Carolinas Medical Center. In particular, we are most grateful to the MICU critical care team of nurses, therapists, social workers and physicians, especially Dr. Scott Crane, Dr. Rebecca Burkhart, and Dr. Stuart Burri. Finally, we extend a very special thank you to our friends at the Hickory Snack Bar. A memorial service and celebration of Gwenn’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, September 2, 2017, at West Hickory Baptist Church, 40 12th St NW, Hickory, NC 28601, with Rev. Scott Frady officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be to West Hickory Baptist Church. Catawba Funeral Home and Memorial Park is serving the family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.