Gail Sheddy of Ely

Gail Williams Sheddy was born in Lincoln, NE, Sept. 3, 1940 to Mark and Dorothea Williams who predeceased her as did her husband, Gordon and her brother, Mark. Three nieces survive her: Julie Cortinas and Marcia Johnson of Omaha, NE and Amy Engelhart of Turnersvile, NJ, as does her sister-in-law, Barbara Solly of Williamstown, NJ. Gail died in Ely, July 3, 2019.
After living in several Nebraska towns her family settled permanently in Omaha where Gail attended North High School. She was educated at the University of Kansas and joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Afterward she taught briefly in Kansas and then returned to Omaha to teach English and Debate for several years.
Deciding to “see the world” Gail changed careers and began a 38-year adventure with United Airlines. Beginning as a flight attendant, she quickly rose to positions of greater responsibility and considerable leadership.
Gail married Gordon Sheddy in 1968. They lived in Teaneck and Cherry Hill, NJ as well as other locations in PA, MN and OH. They became immersed in the world of Komondors, a Hungarian breed, quite rare at the time. They owned, and bred dogs. Gail became a well known judge at dog shows and it was said she knew every Komondor in North America. She traveled to London, UK to see the Crufts dog show.
After frequent vacations in the Ely, MN area, Gail and Gordon moved to Ely in 2005, building a home in Spaulding where they lived together until Gordon died in 2018. Both Gail and Gordon became absorbed in Ely matters and organizations with Gordon serving on the City Council for two terms.
At the encouragement of Mary Brown, a legendary woman in Ely, Gail quickly became associated with and often an officer on Ely Community Resources, The Library Board, The Friends of the Library, the Ely-Winton Historical Association, AAUW, PEO, NLAA and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in the U.S.
Always enthusiastic about young people in Ely sports activities, she followed the teams, often knowing the stats of individual players. Devoted as she was to the University of Kansas basketball teams, March madness was a sacred time as were the days of the Westminster Dog show in February.
All Ely could appreciate Gail’s efforts to make this city a better place, especially for children.
There will be a service of gratitude to honor Gail and Gordon in mid-September, place and time to be announced at a later date.
Family arrangements entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.