Glenna Gayle Milberger, 80, passed away Sunday afternoon in Birmingham, Ala., following a lengthy illness, with family by her side.
Gayle was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Frank Milberger and sister, Carol Brazil.
Survivors include son, Eric Milberger (Brenda); daughter, Lisa Milberger Moore; siblings, Mona McKinney, Judy Ostrander (Jody), Dolores Thorn and Howard Panter (Glynda); and grandchildren, Sara Gattis (Conor), Cole Milberger, Katherine Grace Moore and Harrison Moore.
Growing up in the small town of Adair, Okla., where horses and cowboys ruled the fields, Gayle enjoyed the easy-going farm life as a preschooler. Her parents later moved Gayle and her five siblings to Oklahoma City, where she attended school.
Upon graduation, Gayle set off to see the glamour and glitz of Hollywood, working at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California. Gayle assisted scriptwriters creating the latest and greatest Hollywood productions, meeting many stars along the way, including Tarzan.
When the glam of Hollywood wore off, Gayle moved to Waco, Texas, where she met and fell for the love her life, Joe Milberger. The young couple married in Waco and moved to Huntsville, Ala., where Joe continued his career as an architect, while Gayle cared for little ones at home. When time allowed, Gayle provided secretarial work to help Joe build and maintain his architectural firm.
Gayle loved the city of Huntsville. As a resident atop Monte Sano for many years, she served as a Girl Scout’s Brownie leader, homeroom mother, Monte Sano pool event planner extraordinaire and Boy Scouts den mother. In their grown-up circles, she and Joe joined the Monte Sano bridge club of five mountain couples, developing life-long friendships that continue to this day.
It was at this time in life that Gayle also joined other women as one of the founding members of Carillon Club, which is still currently active. She was also a member of Friends of the Symphony.
She and Joe increasingly invested time and energy in helping their community thrive. This included purchasing an old bungalow on Randolph Avenue in historic Twickenham, renovating the home, following Joe’s architectural instincts and Gayle’s passion for decorating. The family visited antique auctions and out-of-the-way flea markets to uncover forgotten furniture that Gayle would restore to their original glory.
Being of creative mind, Gayle dabbled in artistic endeavors of all kinds–sewing, restoration, crafting, painting with oil and watercolor, and writing. She proudly volunteered for the Huntsville Literary Association for many years, serving in several capacities including president. Family members always knew when Young Writers rolled around as the kitchen table became a haven for short stories and poems from the region’s youngest literary wonders.
The floral world also gained Gayle’s affection, enticing her to study in London with Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s wedding floral designer. Earning the title of Master Florist, she opened her own floral business, White Hyacinth, designing elegant English-style arrangements for brides-to-be. She offered her floral talents on the alter committee as well for The Church of the Visitation, where she was a member for many years.
Always aspiring to learn something new, Gayle ventured back to school after her children finished college, graduating magna cum laude with a dual Bachelor of Arts in English and Art at Athens State University. She also earned a realtor’s license, continuing her drive to gain knowledge.
Throughout her later years, Gayle enjoyed fellowship with her Caesura Book Club, offering “excellent reviews of literature.” Members of the club remember Gayle as being a “generous, sweet and caring woman–a true Christian,” and “always putting others’ needs first.”
Perhaps the greatest accomplishment Gayle treasured above all else was her family. Surrounding herself with photos of her children and grandchildren from every age in life, there is no doubt she knew what was most important in life. Sharing a humble, unassuming spirit, Gayle grew to know that faith, family and friends are the greatest gifts we should hold onto, forever to keep.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2016 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, with a special memorial service beginning at noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations go to the Huntsville Literary Association, Attn: Donations, P.O. Box 919, Huntsville AL 35804.
