Gail O Lyndes

Gail O. Lyndes, nee Opdyke, b. 10-15-1932 in Cleveland, Ohio, d. 10-19-2022. Graduated Laurel School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, 1950. Attended Carleton College for two years in Northfield, Minnesota, and St. Luke’s Nursing School in Cleveland, Ohio. She lived in Worthington and Worthington Hills, Ohio almost all of her adult life.

Met her husband of 68 years, Richard H., on a blind date at a pool party on November 14, 1952. She denied that she tried to drown him. They became engaged exactly one year later and were married on June 19, 1954. Four children followed between 1955 and 1963, and all were teenagers at the same time. She survived!

An avid knitter, bridge-player, elephant lover (she was a Columbus Zoo docent), pianist (including at Worthington Baptist Church), and traveler (to 48 countries). Knitted hundreds of layettes for newborns and premature babies. She donated the majority of what she knitted. An Anglophile, she could list all the rulers of England. Volunteered for over ten years at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. A skilled Tetris player.

Loved for her loyalty, caring, generosity, hard work, hospitality, cooking, and stubbornness. She was often the first to bring a casserole, soup, or dessert to a family going through a difficult time. Raised four children and a little Cain.

Preceded in death by son David and daughter-in-law Cathy (nee Peebles), parents Bea and George Opdyke, Sister June Webster. Survived by husband Richard “Dick;” children Robert (Sheryl Stowman), James (Barb), and Kathryn (Louis Arata); grandchildren Derek (Clare Dreyer), Nichele Mather (Tyler), Natalie, and Sean (Dala); sister Helen Frankmann and brother George Opdyke (Valerie), brother-in-law Dick Lee, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials to Elephant-Kenya Fund at Wildlife Conservation Network and OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Services at Schoedinger Worthington on Tuesday, October 25: Visitation (1:00 pm), Memorial Service (2:00 pm), Reception to follow.