Obituary of Gail Wasylishyn

Gail Wasylishyn, age 60, died at home in Glastonbury on June 17, 2012. Born December 20, 1951 in Newton, Massachusetts, to Dean and Margaret (MacLennan) Waite, she graduated from high school in Larchmont, New York and received a degree in early childhood development from Harcum College. On May 28, 1977, she and her husband, William "Bill" were married. Gail will especially be remembered as "Mrs. W" for her nearly 20 years of teaching at Cathy's Nursery School. She was a woman of unwavering faith and shared her gift for singing with her church family at Buckingham Congregational Church. Following her diagnosis of Stage IV Ovarian Cancer on September 11, 2009, she was successful in her mission to raise research funding and awareness for this disease. She was coined, "The Warrior" for her hope and courage. She loved the beach, especially the Charlestown Breachway in Rhode Island. Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Bill; daughter Erica Hanway and her husband Harper of Florida; daughter Heidi of Glastonbury; her father Dean Waite of East Hampton; dear in-laws especially Vicki Wasylishyn of Barkhamsted; brother Richard Waite and his wife Bonnie of New Bedford, Mass.; brother Peter Waite and his wife Karen of Bremerton, WA; nieces, nephews, and numerous friends. Gail was predeceased by her mother Margaret MacLennan Waite, her aunt Dorothy MacLennan, and mother and father-in-law William and Emma Wasylishyn. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, June 20 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue, in Glastonbury. A celebration of Gail's life will be on Thursday, June 21 at Buckingham Congregational Church, located at 16 Cricket Lane, Glastonbury, CT 06033 at 11:00 AM. Burial in Newport will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Buckingham Congregational Church at address above. Thanks especially to Cindy Gabor, a dear friend, for her daily love, support, and advocacy during Gail's battle, as well as Dr. Aaron Shafer, her doctor who treated her as the special person that she was. To share a memory please visit www.mulryanfh.com.