Jeannie passed quietly on Thursday, February 20th, 2020 in Abeline Texas, surrounded by family and friends. Born in Hot Springs Va. August 13, 1931, daughter to John Sr. and Elizabeth Thomas Gazzola. She spent most of her life in Hot Springs with stays in Kentucky, Florida, North Carolina and Colorado.
In her early years she worked in advertising as a model and in office administration. A long-time employee of the Homestead, she enjoyed meeting and interacting with people and always carried a smile that would brighten the room. After retirement, she remained at her home in Hot Springs until the rigors of traversing the hilly terrain necessitated relocating to the flat lands of Abilene TX, home of her youngest son James Mawdsley, where she enjoyed her last several years in her own flat, living on her own terms, enjoying bird watching and the warmer climate.
Jeannie was a quiet person who loved art, nature, gardening, reading and hearing whimsical stories. Her beauty, and warmth toward others always brought a smile to the people she met, and she was a constant positive force for her family and friends.
Heaven is a better place today.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, brother John Gazzola Jr., sister Marie Gazzola- Leslie, husband Benjamin Layman, nephew Allan Gazzola and granddaughter Claire Mawdsley.
She is survived by her daughter Molly Reynolds of Northampton Mass, son Christopher Mawdsley and wife Paige of Somerset Va., daughter Laura Mawdsley and wife Francine Boisclair of Palmer Lake Colorado, son James Mawdsley and wife Laura Lee of Abilene Texas, grandson Tyler Reynolds and wife Bridget of New York City, granddaughter Ella Felix of Norhtampton Mass., granddaughter Pamela Hauer of Englewood Colorado, grandson Alexander Mawdsley of Harrisonburg, Va., sister in law Opal Gazzola of Hot Springs Va., great grandson Leo Reynolds and great granddaughter Skylar Felix as well as many loving nephews and nieces.
A funeral service will be conducted by McLaughlin & Young Funeral Home in Hot Springs at a yet to be determined date.
Laura, James, Chris, and Molly,
I recently learned of your mother’s passing and wanted to express my condolences. I never really knew your mother, but judging from the warm, bright, sensitive children she produced she must have been quite a person. I’m thinking of you in your time of grief.
Affectionately,
Eddie Walters