Gail Lorna Mooney
Gail Lorna Mooney, 86, of St. James City died on January 25, 2015 at home after a protracted battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband, Norman Mooney; mother Lillian Toolan, her daughters, Christine Vitkus (Mark) and Cynthia Jeffery; her nephew Zariel Toolan (Liz), 8 grandchildren, a sister, Barbara Toolan and 5 stepchildren with 17 grandchildren. Gail was born on March 10, 1946 in Yonkers, to father John Toolan (deceased) and mother Lillian Toolan. She grew up in a loving family with one sister and a large extended family. In high school, she excelled in the sciences and won several awards. Gail had a thirst for knowledge and pursued her interests with vigor. She graduated cum laude from the Salve Regina College in Newport Rhode Island with a B.A. in Art, and an M.A. in Human Development. She was later awarded her PhD in Educational Psychology from The Catholic University in Washington DC. Gail was a driven professional with a successful career at Honeywell spanning various Executive Management positions. Throughout her career Gail was the recipient of many awards, distinctions and tributes as well as both Chairing and participating on numerous Boards and Associations related to her industry and profession. She had many other passions in life and over the years earned her private pilots license, was an avid sailor and enjoyed boating and held a U.S. Coast Guard Captains license, and was a certified scuba diver. When diagnosed with cancer in 2010, she remained dedicated in her work and in her will to fight her illness. She studied different medical approaches and nutrition, and earned her certificate as a Certified Medical Practitioner in Nutrition and Alternative Medicine. She went on to teach courses in this as well as Human Development as an Adjunct Professor at Florida Gulfcoast University. She remained a brave, dedicated woman, even throughout her final months. Services in Florida were held at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cape Coral followed by a light lunch at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church, on Pine Island. Services in Dunkirk, Maryland were held at Rausch Funeral Home and at Friendship Community Baptist Church, with burial at Southern Memorial Gardens. The family would especially like to thank Hope Hospice Cape Coral for their excellent work and loving care; the staff of Moffitt Hospital for their constant, attentive treatment; and both Coral Ridge and Rausch Home, for making the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest a donation directed to Hope Hospice Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com to leave thoughts and memories for her family.