4 minute read
Gail Chesworth-Taylor
To many in the WMA community, Gail ChesworthTaylor will be remembered as more than just the manager of our Campus Store. Ms. ChesworthTaylor was a lovely soul who created community and made the bookstore a favorite destination for so many on campus. Whether giving out candy to the faculty children or providing treats to the faculty dogs or assisting a new student in purchasing their books or helping an alum with a gift suggestion, Ms. Chesworth-Taylor was a person of generosity, integrity, strength and warmth who made WMA a better place. She was a caretaker—someone who took great pride in handling all our needs. She was an architect of school pride, selecting wonderful WMA clothing, swag and accessories to foster school spirit. So the next time you wear your WMA gear, please remember Ms. Chesworth-Taylor, who provided for us with such commitment and care. We will miss her dearly.
Ms. Chesworth-Taylor passed away on Nov. 21, 2020.
from BriAn P. EAsLEr, hEAd of schooL: “I remember how Gail would bring me new clothing items from the bookstore when they came in and she would say, ‘Brian ... I think you’ll like this.’ Because she knew me so well, because she knew all of us so well, she was ALWAYS right; and the one she brought to show me always happened to be my size. She would do the same thing with stuff for my wife, Stephanie. She was ALWAYS right then, also, and she would say with a twinkle in her eyes ‘just take it home to her and I’ll charge it to your account.’
“She knew all of the kids just as well, perhaps better, and she was quick to let us know if she sensed a kid was struggling so we could get a head start helping them. She was ALWAYS right about those things, too. This is all because Gail paid attention, ALWAYS and intentionally, to all of us.”
from cAroLinE smith, ExEcutivE AssistAnt to thE hEAd of schooL: “She always had a warm, pleasant smile on her face and a calming sense about her. I always admired her strength and resilience and to me, she was my hero ... After working together for over 15 years, she knew what I needed from the bookstore at specific times of the year. It is comforting to know that she is no longer in pain and suffering, and I am sure she will be sadly missed by the many of us who knew and loved her.”
from suE Wood, formEr rich hALL rEcEPtionist: “She was a dear friend and an inspiration to so many. She always had a kind word and a quick smile and such a gentle temperament. She was a very sweet woman who was loved by all who were lucky enough to have her in their lives. What an inspiration Gail was to me every day when I would see her pushing through with never a complaint and always something positive to say. Her lunchtime stories about her loving mom and adoring husband, Greg, gave us a window into the abundant love she had in her life.”
from stuArt WhitcomB, dirEctor of thE WmA middLE schooL: “For many, Gail and the bookstore served as an oasis. Whether age 3 or 73, two-legged or four, Gail knew having a place to stop for a quick hello, a warm smile and a treat was a lovely way to recharge the batteries and put that pep back in your step. What a wonderful reminder that goodness can be imparted through simple, thoughtful gestures.”
from LindA PiEtrAs, BusinEss officE AdministrAtivE AssistAnt: “Gail’s love for life was so vibrant and so infectious ... I loved her enthusiasm for every holiday and her caring for her husband, her mom, her fur babies and the students at WMA. She made the store a place not only for purchasing merchandise but also a place to come to chat about life and, of course, have a mint. I worked for her during Reunion when she couldn’t, and the amount of past students who came in the store that were disappointed she was not there was testament that she was a huge part of WMA culture.”
from Erik kindBLom, dEAn of AcAdEmics & institutionAL AnALysis: “Gail would ALWAYS speak of our students in the nicest of ways. It was her nature to be friendly and helpful. My fondest memory of Gail was when Middle School kids would have a quick break. You would see them running up the stairs, around the corner and into the bookstore to grab some candy, which Gail always had plenty of. You would hear Gail ask, ‘How is your day going?’ And for the next 3-to-5 minutes the Middle Schoolers would tell her everything they could until they realized they were going to be late to their next class ... and from afar, you saw Gail, with a warm smile. You could see that those were the moments she cherished.”
from ErikA WhiPPLE, AthLEtic trAinEr And AssistAnt dirEctor of AthLEtics: “I have tons of very fond memories with Gail. When my nephew was fighting cancer, she asked every day about him and she was there when I got the phone call of his passing. She was so supportive and led me in the right direction. My dogs, Kalli and Tilli, would take stuffed animals from the bookstore and take them for a walk down the hallways, and Gail would love to see them play with them and finally gave each of them one that lived on the bottom shelf in the bookstore. She was one of the strongest, most caring women I have met.”
from gAry cook, fAcuLty: history & gLoBAL studiEs: “Gail was always upbeat, with a smile ready! She was easy to work with, professional yet personal ... and she was so helpful and so cheerful. I miss her every time I walk by the bookstore.”
