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.
Faith Roberts from Indian Harbor Beach wrote on August 19, 2022:
Wow. If I’m half as badass and loving as her I’ve made it!! The world will truly continue to be a better place because of her ripple effects. What a literally phenomenal lady.
Melinda Farrell wrote on August 19, 2022:
I never had the pleasure of meeting you , but I do know your daughter . You raised a beautiful, kind thoughtful, and radiant daughter . I know that was a reflection of the person you were . Rest In Peace Gayla knowing you did a great job here on earth with all of the lives you touched and continue to touch through your children
Alice DeBlasio from Melbourne, FL wrote on August 19, 2022:
Gayla will be in my heart always. I will miss her dearly. She was a kind and generous friend and a joy to spend time with.
Susan Rose from West Melbourne wrote on August 19, 2022:
Gayla we spent many years teaching together, biking together and laughing about life experiences. I miss you already. When I see you next, I expect you to have my bike ready to go for a ride. Love always, Sue
Lisa Taylor from Melbourne wrote on August 19, 2022:
Go with the wings of Angels lifting you up sweet Gayla! You touched the lives of so many of us. Gods Blessings to Sean and Shannon. Much Love ~ Lisa & Eric Taylor
Maureen DeRosa from Fishkill, New York wrote on August 19, 2022:
My cherished friend Gayla… you will be forever missed by all the people whose lives you touched and the precious animals you cared so deeply for. We laughed when I used to say you reminded me of Grace Kelly, but you truly were my Princess Grace. Where there is deep grief, there is great love. I will miss you my beautiful friend. xx Maureen
Monique from Melbourne wrote on August 19, 2022:
You will forever remain one of the most monumental, cherished and loved blessings in my life. Your spirit will remain alive in my life.
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