Gayle Hegele

Gayle was born 5 years after her brother, Mike, in Columbus Ohio where her father, Captain Jack Hegele USAF was stationed.  Her mother, Alwyn, was from Manchester, England and met Jack during WWII.  After a short time in Ohio the family was transferred to England where Gayle spent her formative years.  Jack was then transferred to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs as an instructor. The family lived in base housing and Gayle began high school at Air Force Academy High School.  After graduating with honors, she began college in Denver at Colorado Women’s College in 1968.

That’s where the roommate placard on the door said Gayle H. and Janell D.

In that first week I realized that my sleeping habits were in direct opposition to Gayle’s studying habits.  When midnight rolled around, I wanted to sleep and she came alive.  Late one night that first week, I was awakened by many RAT-a-TAT-TAT-TAT noises.  My sleepy mind assumed that Gayle must have been making Jiffy Pop Popcorn on her hot plate since that was the only thing I could think of that would make that rapid sounding TAT-TAT- RAT-a-TAT noise.  Oh no, that was her typing on her electric typewriter at 120 words per minute, with no mistakes.

Gayle was all business in college. She and I both worked at the college library: she in acquisitions and me in the children’s section. Gayle’s father was stationed in Viet Nam in the medical corps, and while she feared for his safety, she supported the war.  She joined committees overseeing students’ rights, women’s conferences, and faculty/student relations; her active role in various causes and clubs would be a practice she kept through her whole life.  To ease the financial burden of college on her family, she decided, “Darn the torpedo’s full speed ahead!” and she graduated with her degree in American Studies, in three years, not four.

She then headed to the University of Denver’s Law School for three years before the sounds of the city called her to New York! She acted as a bank executive in New York City for ten years as she lived in Hoboken New Jersey, not far from where Frank Sinatra was born.  While she lived in New Jersey our family stayed with her at her Brownstone apartment.  We marveled that “Gayle lived on a street just like on Sesame Street!”

It was her ties to her family that lead her back to Colorado where her recently retired father and mother resided.  She bought a home in the Seven Hills neighborhood to be close to her parents.  As her mother’s health became a concern, she devoted her time to her care.  With her mother’s passing Jack decided to reside at Heather Gardens.

At Heather Gardens Gayle she began to be active as a Floor Representative, a bridge partner, and voracious reader.  Her involvement took on deeper spiritual significance when she joined Faith Church as a member and volunteer.

Gayle will be remembered for helping others, love of knitting, Diet Coke, the Denver Broncos and her cats, Gato and Jake.

Farewell Dear Friend

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Faith Church or the charity of your choice.

The memorial service will be held May 5th - 1:30pm at Faith Presbyterian Church at 11373 E Alameda Ave in Aurora.