Romaine S Gaffney

Romaine Joyce Schwartzer Gaffney, of Mountain Brook, AL, passed to eternal life on April 3, 2022. Born in York, Pennsylvania to Hilary Rohrbaugh and John Phillip Schwartzer, she is predated by her husband of 60 years, Michael S. Gaffney, and five siblings (Ruth, Vivian, Robert, James, and John). She is survived by two daughters: Kathy Nolen (Phil) and Patty Gilbert (Carey); three sons: John Gaffney (Linda), Kevin Gaffney, and Michael Gaffney II (Janeé); seven grandchildren: Tim Nolen, Parks Gilbert, Mary Ansley Smalley (Drew), Libby Wood (Jonathan), John Gaffney, Jr. (Courtney), Kate Gaffney, and Megan Gaffney; and three great grandchildren: Jay, Myles and Abigail Wood.

Romaine graduated from York High School in 1947 and attended Thompson College (York, PA) and Birmingham Southern University. She married Michael in 1951, and they initially lived in York, PA. Career opportunities brought the couple to Jacksonville, FL and later to Tampa. In 1973, Michael’s promotion to Vice President at Motion Industries, Inc., brought the family to Birmingham.

Known as GG to her family, Romaine is a member at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Birmingham and was a long-time parishioner at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa. At St. Francis Xavier, she sang in the choir and was involved in outreach ministries and women’s fellowship. Romaine was an avid exerciser, wonderful cook and enjoyed singing and music, especially with her husband. A fond memory is dad playing a tune on the organ and her singing along. She always found time for daily prayer and regularly attended daily Mass. She loved sports, both as a participant and a spectator. She enjoyed watching, with Dad, a wide variety including the Atlanta Braves, Wimbledon tennis, college basketball (especially Villanova), and the Masters. She was an avid golfer and tennis player at Vestavia Country Club and Sapphire Lakes Country Club in NC. Romaine is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, General Sumter Chapter.

She volunteered for many years with Meals on Wheels, St. Vincent Hospital, the American Red Cross, and Cooper Green Hospital in palliative care. She was a generous supporter of many worthy causes and individuals, including Holy Family Catholic Academy, Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, AL, and St. Vincent Hospital Foundation. She always found a reason to reach out to others and was very giving of her time, talent, and treasure. Romaine never met a stranger and made friends easily throughout her life. She enjoyed conversation and exchanging stories of traveling, friends, and family.

The family would like to thank all the care givers and health care workers who assisted mom during her final years and most recent illness. A very special thanks to Rhonda Cobb, mom’s lead and primary caregiver over the last 4 years. Thanks also to all the associates at Home Instead, especially Monica Fomby, Debra Brown and Nora Ibarra. Thanks to Compassus Hospice for their service and help. And thanks to Jane DeMeis from OLS and Sister Sara Burress from St. Francis Xavier. Thank you all for your special love, attention, and assistance to mom.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on April 8, 2022, at 11am, with visitation and lunch following in the parish hall. Romaine will be interred in the columbarium at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church alongside her husband Michael. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama, Attn. Development Office, 916 Convent Rd. Cullman, AL 35055.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Gaffney family.