Gayla Ann Connolly Mulvaney

Born on May 5, 1942 in Colonia, New Jersey
Departed August 17, 2022 in Melbourne, Florida

Gayla Ann Connolly Mulvaney passed August 17, 2022 with her two children Sean and Shannon Mulvaney by her side. Born in Colonia, New Jersey on May 5, 1942 to the late John Connolly and Florence Berg Connolly. She graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1960 and would soon study education at Glassboro State College and graduate in 1964.

She married Thomas Patrick Mulvaney on November 1, 1969 and would start a family together in Hackettson, New Jersey on their farm filled with horses, cows, goats, chickens, dogs and many more animals.

Her son, Sean Mulvaney, was born and in 1970 and her daughter, Shannon Mulvaney, was born in 1976. They would soon all move to Florida in 1978.

The family started one of the first feed stores in Melbourne, FL, called Town and Country Feed. They continued to raise the kids along with many animals on a little farm on Pinewood Road. Gayla loved riding horses and enjoyed caring for all the different animals.

She had a love for teaching and taught first, second and sixth grades. She began her teaching career in New Jersey and would continue it in Melbourne, Florida. She taught at both Holy Trinity and Roy Allen Elementary. She was known for hatching chickens every year in her classroom and often had many other classrooms animals.

Teaching allowed her to travel during the summer breaks. She loved adventure. She went on an African safari, hiked the Inca Trail, rafted the Colorado River, rode horses through France, and enjoyed many beaches throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii.

Gayla was always a very active person. She loved riding her bike with friends, working in her garden and walking her different dogs she had throughout the years. She was so adventurous that she went skydiving and got a tattoo on her 60th birthday!

Her greatest joy was her kids, Sean and Shannon. One of the very last things she said was how proud she was of them. She was a very devoted and supportive mother. We know she died happy knowing that they were both there by her side. She said to make sure they took care of each other, and they will. She had many friends that will miss her too and we know she is somewhere reading all the nice messages and comments. (We hope wherever she is she can figure out how to use the computer to read them! Just kidding mom.)

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Touch of Grey Rescue. She always loved animals and they just wrote a children’s book called “Farkle Finds His Forever Home.” Make a donation or buy a book for someone. We know she would really like that.

Touch of Grey Rescue

Guestbook Entry

 
 
 
 
 
 
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27 entries.
Julie Turner from Melbourne wrote on August 25, 2022:
Dear Gayla, I was shocked and so saddened to learn that you are no longer with us in this realm. You are going to be missed so in the neighborhood. You were like the mayor of Weston Park! I regret that when I return there you won’t be there. I am so glad you really lived life and had so many adventures with Shannon and Sean. They have many wonderful memories but my heart is heavy for them now. Love and Peace, julie
Stephanie Haley from Georgetown wrote on August 25, 2022:
Be at peace
Ray and Cecil Messer from Melbourne wrote on August 22, 2022:
We are so very sorry to hear about your mom. We know she was very special to you guys and you got to spend a lot of time with her and make a lot of good memories. Peace and prayers be with you guys.
Melinda O'Brien from Melbourne wrote on August 21, 2022:
Praying for God to comfort you Shannon and Sean- that you may know she is safe in the arms of Jesus….Missing your mom so very much, too…Loved her dearly!!! She was the sweetest woman…I so loved chatting & walking with her & little Wagner (…Niles & Parker, too- all her sweet fur-babies over the years ♥️😇🐾) She had a huge heart for her family & loved all the animals, too! Gayla was a wonderful friend and neighbor and a blessing to everyone who knew her…. & She will be remembered fondly forever and dearly missed!!! Rest In Peace sweet Gayla…until we see you again!!! ♥️♥️♥️
Ryan DesChenes from Indialantic wrote on August 21, 2022:
So sorry for your loss Sean. Prayers to you and your family in this very difficult time. Mom's and Dad's are a hard loss. Feel comfort in knowing she is in a good place and your new Angel to watch over you and keep you safe.
Deena Dhaseleer & Alec Burak from Melbourne beach wrote on August 20, 2022:
RIP Gayla.
Linda Carmigiano from Satellite Beach wrote on August 20, 2022:
Sean and Shannon your Mom would be so proud of the wonderful heartfelt obituary. Please accept our sympathy for the loss of your Mom!🙏💜
Lea hayes from Melbourne wrote on August 20, 2022:
Sean, so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. Her obituary was so beautiful and sounds like she touched so many people and lived life to the fullest. You and your sister as well as many others have such beautiful memories to share. Praying for peace and contentment for you and your family 🙏💗Peace be with you💗
Margy & Michael Hoppin from Melbourne wrote on August 20, 2022:
Wishing strength and love to your both - Your Mom will always be with you.
Terri Smock from Longwood wrote on August 20, 2022:
My dear beautiful friend, the world will be a much different place without you here, but the heavens has gained an amazing angel and we will meet again. You were an great teacher to my kids and I am forever grateful! We had a lot of fun together while you taught and I filed and cut out 1000’s of shapes while listening to Enya “Only Time”. You will forever live in our hearts and will never be forgotten! We love you! Terri, Chelsea , Brandon and Ashley Smock
Eleanor Sheldon from Melbourne wrote on August 20, 2022:
Your mother was a lovely lady and had an interesting life. You were lucky to have had such a wonderful relationship with her.
Gayle Ufnar from Melbourne wrote on August 19, 2022:
I enjoyed the years I taught with Gayla. She was a creative inspiring educator. Sean and Shannon were important to her and she encouraged them to be who they are. God speed. I look forward to meeting again.
Mary Jarvis from Murphy, North Carolina wrote on August 19, 2022:
Many prayers for you and your brother. Thinking of you.🙏
Lee De Barriault from Melbourne wrote on August 19, 2022:
What a lovely lady Gayla was! I always enjoyed her visits to my store and our chats about her pets so she could give them the very best! Her joie de vivre and her love of animals and her pride of her children will always stick out in my mind. On to her next journey... as an Angel watching from above!
OLIVIA Caissie from Rockledge wrote on August 19, 2022:
Donation made to Touch of Gray in honor of your mom ♡. Let us honor her by showing kindness to each other and by donating to animal rescue . What a beautiful soul... May her memory bring you joy everyday.
Kathleen Corbett from Melbourne wrote on August 19, 2022:
Beautifully written!! Hugs to you & your family in this difficult time.
Trilby Saldana from Melbourne wrote on August 19, 2022:
It was such a special experience to witness Shannon and her moms reaction when she put "the" perfect wedding dress on. I told them both that they would actually cry and they said absolutely not, they wouldn't cry and low and behold, both started gushing when Shannon turned around..haha gotcha! So much fun and such a treasure to witness their love and closeness. I am honored to have had a small part of that moment and to have met her. Gayla was such a beautiful and loving soul. ❤️ We send Heartfelt love, and healing light to all whose lives she's touched, especially her family and we Love you Shannon, always. Love Trilby and Ricardo.
Christina Nestor from Malabar wrote on August 19, 2022:
Such a wonderful tribute for your precious mom! I had the honor of meeting her and what a sweet lady she was! You and Sean will be in my thoughts and prayers during this painful time.
Megan Compton-Pollok from Fort Mill, SC wrote on August 19, 2022:
What a lovely tribute to your beautiful mother. Sending you and Sean lots of love during this difficult time.
Kathy Gabriel from Melbourne wrote on August 19, 2022:
Very sorry for your loss. She will always be your guardian angel looking down on you always and in your lives and hearts forever