Obituary
Gail McGinnis Weiss died in Sanibel, Florida on February 22, 2020 at the age of 82 with her husband by her side.
Gail was born in Binghamton, New York on March 9, 1937 to Raymond C. McGinnis and Gertrude (Toby) McGinnis. She graduated from Westfield High School (New Jersey) in 1955, and The College of Wooster in 1959. Gail met her husband of 60 years, Richard D. Weiss, at The College of Wooster. They were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Westfield, NJ by Dr. Fredrick Christian in 1959. After college, Gail worked in endocrinological research at OSU’s University Hospital and at the hematology lab at Lima Hospital in Lima, Ohio. She was a school teacher in the Lowellville (OH) and Salem (OH) public school districts before leaving teaching to raise their children. In the 1980’s, Gail took additional classes in accounting at Youngstown State University. This led her to a lifelong interest in the stock market where she excelled in investing.
Gail and her husband have been part-time residents of Sanibel since 2002, and Gail volunteered at the Shell Museum, the Historical Museum, and was a member of the Sanibel Congregational UC Church.
In Canfield, Ohio, she served as a trustee and a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church, and was a den mother for cub scouts.
Gail and Richard raised four children: Laura (Michael) Critchfield, Tom Weiss, Rick (Susann) Weiss, and Julie (Scott) Adams. They also have eight grandchildren: Ryan and Nick Critchfield, Dajah Greene and Sierra Weiss, Katie and Will Adams, Clio and Leni Weiss, as well as two great-grandchildren, Sophia and Nandi.
Gail enjoyed camping throughout the continental United States and traveling to numerous foreign countries, including biking trips to Denmark, Austria, and Italy as well as hiking trips to the Swiss Alps. Above all, Gail enjoyed family get-togethers and socializing with friends. Gail leaves behind husband Richard and brother Gordon McGinnis of Easton, Pennsylvania.
A private family memorial will be held this summer in Ohio. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to: F.I.S.H., 2430 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957 or Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, 3075 Sanibel Captiva Rd., Sanibel, FL 33957.
Ed. Kenreigh