Dear Choir,

 

I have no words to wrap around my appreciation for your musical offerings during our prayer service for Gayle and Mark.  It was truly the most powerful part of the service, lifting us all beyond words to an experience of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds and souls.  I know that Gayle and Mark were deeply touched by your music as were all that were in attendance.  Many told me they had never before had such a spiritual experience in a church setting.  One person said she had heard a lot of music in a lot of churches, including ours, but had never before heard anything as deeply moving as Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.

 

Please know that your willingness to serve in this way was a blessing not only to Mark and Gayle but to us all.

 

In His Love,

Memorial Service for Gayle Olenik
Gayle Callahan Roberts Olenik died on July 9, 2017 in Huntersville, NC.  She was born in Greenwich, CT to Daniel James Callahan and Katherine Wright Callahan.  She was the granddaughter of Daniel Callahan (nee County Cork, Ireland) and Katie Hamilton Callahan (County Tyrone, Northern Ireland).   She leaves behind her daughter Dawn-Alita Hernandez and son Dan Roberts and spouse Selin; step-daughter Laura  and spouse Frank; husband Mark; sisters Kathleen (Beverly, MA) and Joan Haughs (Greenwich, CT);  grandchildren Victor, Lucas, Barrett, Bella, Daniel, and William as well as many friends.   Gayle taught for many years in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System and she retired as Principal of Cornelius Elementary School.  She was a watercolorist, gardener, hiker, kayaker, circle leader, and lifelong student of nature and people.   In lieu of flowers, Gayle requested that you follow your heart as to where you donate funds.  Gayle and Mark like the Novant Health Strides to Strength program, as it allowed Gayle the strength to push through the hard times.  Mark also wishes to thank all platelet and blood donors for their life-saving gift.   There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, July 14, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at Davidson United Methodist Church in the Sanctuary.     

Gayle was an inspiration to me in life as she advocated for her own children and the many children at Cornelius, as a friend as we worked together as assistant principals and later when she became a principal, as a woman who found true love and devotion later in life, and as she fought her cancer with every breath, yet faced the end of her worldly life with dignity, joyfulness, and unconditional faith in God. Who could want a finer role model?   Again, thanks for sharing the article - and for sharing Gayle.