Gayle Joanne McElwain

Gayle Joanne (Bolyard) McElwain, 82.

Born March 13, 1944, in Suffield to Clarence and Mary (Wise) Bolyard.

She went to heaven on May 16, 2026, to be with her late parents Clarence and Mary, daughter Tracie Sue McElwain Wiley, great-grandbaby Allison, brothers Jerry and Russell Bolyard.

Survived by grand-daughter Nicole McElwain, grandson Robbie Moorehead, great-grandchildren Madie and Brayden (Bubba), brothers Gene (friend Jan) of Niles, Mearl (Bud) & Carolyn of Ravenna, sisters Marilyn (Paul) Linamen of Florida, Shirley (Ron) Stayer and sister-in-law Betty Bolyard of Suffield and son-in-law Kevin Wiley of Deerfield, and many cousins and friends.

For the past seven years, Gayle faced cancer four times, each time with courage, hope and determination, with many treatments, anxiety, pain and many prayers. She lost this last battle but put up one hell of a fight!

Gayle was an avid Steelers and Ohio State fan, who loved bingo, playing cards with family, traveling, country music, making quilts with her sister Shirley and driving her little blue Chevy all over Suffield and Akron. Farmer Boys and Double D lost a very loyal customer.

Gayle was a graduate of Field High School, class of 1962. She retired from Giant Eagle after 30 years of service. Usually the first to show up, always prompt, reliable and practical with her famous deviled eggs and cherry cheesecake dessert. She was little and petite and everyone thought she was so sweet and quiet but lookout if anyone ever cut her off in traffic! In her younger years she had a little wild side, even borrowing her brother Jerry's '57 Chevy for a joy ride. Bud was sometimes her partner-in-crime, sneaking their dad's car to go to the Pogo.

God tells us not to mourn, but celebrate when someone dies because He has prepared a place for us. Losing Gayle is losing a part of our past and a piece of our hearts. We will miss her and never forget her. So we will end with Gayle's saying every time she left. LOVE YOU, BYE.

Cremation has taken place. Graveside services are on June, 6th at Restland Cemetery at 11am followed by a celebration of life at 156 Manning Rd, Suffield.