Gayl Kendra Ponce's Obituary
Gayl Kendra Ponce, 83, of Fort Myers, Florida passed peacefully into eternity on November 5, 2024. Gayl was born January 12, 1941, to Laurance and Virginia (Losh) Venard in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Gayl grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Princeton High School. She attended the University of Cincinnati where she obtained her B.S. in Nursing. Gayl married the love of her life, Pedro P. Ponce, on June 20, 1965.
She and Pedro raised their three children, Bryan, Elizabeth, and Brent in Cincinnati and she devoted herself to bringing them up in the love and council of their Lord, Jesus. Their family were active members of Northern Hills Bible Chapel, and she took great joy in serving as the summer camp nurse. She drove her kids to countless sporting events, brought them to antique auctions, modeled for them the virtues of industriousness and thrift, and overall, she clothed them with love.
Gayl was an artistic person who boldly took up varied media and developed new hand-making skills throughout her life. She was an excellent craftswoman who completed many home improvement projects for herself and, eventually, for her adult children in their own homes. Her hands were always occupied and she always had at least three projects going.
Gayl and Pedro retired to Florida in 1997 and lived on Sanibel Island where Gayl walked the beach every morning, volunteered at the Sanibel Historical Society, was an artist with the Island Shell Crafters and enjoyed the fellowship of believers at Sanibel Community Church.
Gayl and Pedro moved to Shell Point Retirement Community in 2011 where they became active residents of the Lucina condominiums. Gayl took up the art of pottery and enjoyed many Bible studies at the Shell Point church. She loved to cook healthy meals and bake her special panettone recipe for Pedro. On Saturdays, Gayl and Pedro would make their weekly date to pursue one of her favorite hobbies, thrift store shopping, followed by a lunch out together. Theirs was a peaceful, joyful marriage.
Gayl is preceded in passing by her parents and her brother Paul.
Gayl leaves her loving memory with her survivors, Pedro, her husband of 59 years, her sister, Pam Venard Yeckel, her children and their spouses- Bryan and Amy Ponce, Elizabeth and Steve Reichard, and Brent and Sandi Ponce- along with her eight grandchildren, Drew, Will, Anna, Benjamin, Gemma, Rachel, Isabella and Joshua, and several nieces and nephews, of whom Elora was especially cherished.
Gayl's family has entrusted Fort Myers Memorial Gardens with the tender care of her final arrangements. At this time her memorial service is awaiting scheduling.
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