Gail Kress

Gail Kress, 96, of 525 Chestnut St., Meadville passed away at her home, Wednesday, July 29, 2009 following a period of declining health.

Gail was born June 13, 1913 in Pittsburgh, to the late Frank and Evelyn Kilgore Woods and grew up in Conneaut Lake.  She was a graduate of Conneaut Lake High School and the former Spencer Hospital School of Nursing where she received her R.N. degree.

She married Victor F. Kress May 20, 1936 and he preceded her in death December 24, 1977.

A kind and gracious lady, much loved by all who knew her, she was a member of St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, the former Spencer Hospital Auxiliary, and a past member of the Meadville Country Club.  She had many interests, but her family was always her first priority, and she loved traveling in Europe and the U.S. with them and with friends.  As a young girl, she amazed her friends when she swam across Conneaut Lake.  She was a master bridge player and loved gardening, doing crossword puzzles, and reading.  She was an ardent animal lover.

Survivors include five children: Victor P. Kress and his wife Karen of Meadville, Patricia K. Cotta and her husband Daniel of Plymouth, MA, Kimberly K. Prager and her husband Robert of Boston, MA, Karen Sherman and her husband Craig of Boulder, CO, and Richard “Biff” Kress and his wife Diane of Meadville; four grandchildren, David and Courtney Cotta, Kendra Jones, and Kristen Fryburg; two great-grandchildren, Melanie and Carolyn Cotta; and her beloved cat Chelsea.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Wilson W. Woods and her sister, Hazel Dawn Woods.

Viewing will be private, but friends are welcome to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 1st at St. Brigid Church, 383 Arch St., Meadville with Fr. Mark O’Hern as Celebrant.

Interment will be in St. Agatha Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Rd., Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine St., or St. Brigid Church, 967 Chancery Ln., all of Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.