Lael Munster McCormack died in Gilroy on Dec. 2, 2002 following
a brief illness.
Lael Munster McCormack died in Gilroy on Dec. 2, 2002 following a brief illness.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Joseph G. McCormack, MD, of Gilroy; her children, Camille McCormack, Molokai, Hawaii, Christine McCormack, Gilroy, Carla Adams, Gilroy and Celia McCormack, Gilroy. She is the grandmother of Katherine vonStrasser of New York City, Scottie Adams of Gilroy, Peter Adams of Gilroy, Christopher Adams of Gilroy and Greggory Adams. Mrs. McCormack is the sister of Gregg Munster of Bend, Ore., the niece of Mary Mills of Greenwich, Conn., the sister-in-law of Elaine Swanson of San Diego, the aunty of many and the beloved friend of Faith Peterman of Gilroy.
Lael was born in Berkeley on March 5, 1929. She graduated from Anna Head Royce School of Berkeley and was a member of the Alfa Phi Sorority at UC Berkeley. She graduated in 1968 with honors from the first graduating class of Gavilan Junior College and went on to San Jose State to receive her degree in Art History. Lael was very active in her devotion to the community of Gilroy; serving on the Gilroy School Board, the Parents Teachers Association, the Gilroy Assistance League, the Children’s Home Society, Arts and Cultural Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Board of the Physically Challenged Appeals Committee and received Woman of the Year Award in 1967. She overcame paraplegia secondary to Polio Myelitis in the year 1954 and went on to raise her four wonderful children. Lael spent every summer of her life, since age 3, at Echo Lake in the high Sierras. It was a very special place to which she took her family where they kayaked, swam, canoed and visited with her many friends.
At 16, she was California State Junior Tennis Doubles Champion. She spent her life serving the American Red Cross, which led to her many years of teaching swimming lessons to the community and the establishment of the McCormack School of Swimming, founded in 1976. She took second place in freestyle at the 1980 National Para Olympics in NewYork. Lael was a former member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, founding member of Bethel Baptist Church of Morgan Hill and often attended South Valley Community Church.
She was a woman of indomitable courage and spirit. Her life was an example showing that, despite having a major handicap and being confined to a wheelchair for 48 years, life can be lived actively, joyfully and full of love.
Ha’ ale’ale i ka pu’uwai
“A heart filled with love”
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002 at Habing Family Funeral Home from 2 to 7 p.m. with the family present from 4 to 7 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held for Mrs. McCormack Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at the Gilroy Presbyterian Church, a reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.
Family would appreciate donations to the Lael McCormack Memorial Fund c/o South Valley National Bank, Gilroy.
