Sylvia Gayle Haley

March 8, 1942 - December 12, 2019

03/08/1942 - 12/12/2019

Sylvia Gayle Hettinger Haley (Gayle Haley)
Gayle started her journey March 08th, 1942 as the first daughter of Larry Carl Hettinger and Edith Carl Shain Hettinger.  Gayle graduated as a member of the first Graduating Class from Wagner High School, St. Mathews, Kentucky.  Gayle attended Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Kentucky where Gayle was installed into the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.  Gayle met her future Husband, Raymond R. Haley, Jr. from Hilo Hawaii while both were attending Kentucky Wesleyan College.  Gayle worked summers at the old Fischer Packing Company in the Data Processing Department where Gayle’s Father Larry Carl Hettinger was VP Sales.  Raymond and Gayle married September 28th, 1962.  Gayle started working full time at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Company in the Data Processing Department were she worked for a couple years before Gayle had the opportunity to be employed by the old Louisville and Nashville Rail Road in the Data Processing Department Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.  Gayle moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, while Raymond was on Active Duty in the United States Air Force.  When the Louisville and Nashville Rail Road merged with CSX Rail Road and moved the combined Headquarters to Jacksonville, Florida, Gayle resigned then entered the Real Estate profession working at the old Parks and Weisberg Real Estate firm from their Corporate Office in Louisville, Kentucky.  Prudential Insurance opened a large Service Bureau Office (SHPS) in Louisville, and Gayle was hired as their third Employee. Gayle remained employed at that location until Gayle retired in 2005 when Raymond was asked by his employer to move to Newport News, Virginia.  At the time of Gayle’s passing December 12th, 2019 Gayle was a member of the Woman’s Club of Newport News where Gayle was previously on the Board of Directors for ten years holding various executive level offices, including 2nd Vice President and two terms as Corresponding Secretary.  Gayle is still a member (since 1986) of The Fillies who are associated with the Kentucky Derby Festival. Gayle was on the Fillies Board for several years, including Chair of the Fillies Float and Chair of the publication of The Fillies Official Kentucky Derby Festival Program.  Gayle is currently a member of the Kentucky Real Estate Association where her Kentucky Real Estate License is currently in Escrow.  Gayle was a past three-term President of the old Younger Woman’s Club of Saint Mathews, Kentucky. Gayle was a past member of the Woman’s Club of Louisville. Gayle and Raymond enjoyed traveling including Paris, France, several trips to Hawaii where Raymond was born, several trips to the Naples and Fort Myers areas of Florida, and several holiday season trips to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Gayle is survived by her loving Husband, Raymond; her Sister Carl Ann Wylie (Don) of Palm Desert, California; Cousins:  Elsanna Fisel, Jodi Sherman, Susan Smith (Raymond) of Louisville, Kentucky; Sister-in-law Robin Haley and Brother-in-law Kevin Haley of Honolulu, Hawaii; godson Jim Lyddan (Pat) of Indianapolis, Indiana; goddaughter Lindsey Lyddan Baldwin (Bill) of Chicago Illinois; numerous dear Friends in Louisville , Kentucky including their entire Wine Tasting Dinner Group along with Ron and Billie Tharp;  numerous dear friends in Newport News, Virginia including their entire Friday Night Dinner Group along with Sally Sullivan and everyone on the 12th Floor of their Condominium Building; Bill Durham (Karen) of North Carolina; and dear Chihuahua little Sylvia.
A Celebration of Life in Newport News, Virginia and a Memorial Service in Louisville, Kentucky will each be held at a later date.

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Helen Kuhn
3 years ago

I was so sorry to hear about Gayle she was a very good person and I’m sure you will miss her forever Bucky. I just found out today.

Gene Henricks
4 years ago

May the heavenly father be with you always

Julia Murray
4 years ago

Gayle was beautiful lady. Kind and sweet. A lovely person. Sorry she has passed.

Laura Davis
4 years ago

Ray, we are so sorry to hear about Gayle. We always enjoyed your all’s company. Gayle always such a kind and sweet person. Our love and prayers are with you!

Vanessa Rodowicz
4 years ago

Dear Ray, I was saddened to hear of Gayle’s passing. From cocktails at the condo to joining us for Friday pizza she truly added a spark! My deepest condolences to you and your family. She has good company, Michele is whooping it up with her. All my love

Andrew Canellas & Bobbi Canellas
4 years ago

So sorry that Gail has left us….but God just acquired a new Angel! She was one of the sweetest friends we ever had. She left a trail of sincerity and goodness wherever she went; can never recall even a tiny moment in which she displayed one iota of selfishness or pettiness. So many of us will truly miss her in countless ways, especially her dear husband Ray who moved mountains to keep her, but let us not begrudge God for adding a lovely Angel.

robert suleski
4 years ago

Donna and I enjoyed having a great and friendly neighbor as gayle. My fondest memory of her was loving on our german shepherd Lena whenever they met in the hallway in the condo. With sincerest sympathy.

Bob Korfin
4 years ago

Ray, We are so sorry for your loss. Gayle fought a courageous fight and now she is at rest. God will always know how attentive a husband you have been. In time, I hope you will be filled with memories of Gayle in happier days. May Gayle’s memory serve as a blessing and may she rest in peace…

Pat & Jim Lyddan
4 years ago

Gayle was an amazing lady. She was always volunteering and was exceptional in all the clubs and activities she joined. We meet Gayle and Bucky in January 1966. They are two of our closest friends even though our lives took different paths. We celebrated several New Year’s Eve’s together, The Haley’s residence , the Brown Hotel, Louisville, Ky and Highland Country Club, Indianapolis, IN. Gayle was with me in labor for our second daughter, Lindsey and Gayle and Bucky are Her Godparents. We celebrated many Derby’s together and attended Anita Madden’s Derby Party in Lexington, KY. We have many memories of trips to Newport News,Hilton Head, and Naples, FL. We will miss her sweet smile and can do attitude. Rest in pease Miss Gayle, you deserve it. ❤️❤️

Karen and Bill Durham
4 years ago

One of the sweetest ladies we have had the fortune of entering our lives. Gayle was a true Angel. The Heavens are clearly rejoicing at the entrance of the Special Lady! How blessed we all were knowing her!