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Gwen Moomaw Obituary
She was past President and Chairman of the Board of World Travel Service, Inc. of Roanoke. She directed numerous tours in the United States and throughout the world, as well as hosting many cruises. She was selected as one of the 20 original worldwide "Representatives" of American Express Travel Company, and served on its Advisory Board in 1968. She was past president and life member of the Allegheny Garden Club of Roanoke; past president of the Highland Park School PTA; Cub Scout Den Mother; Circle Chairman and Bible School teacher while a member of the Women of Second Presbyterian Church. In the early 1950s, she managed the successful campaign to elect the first woman to Roanoke City Council, Mary Eleanor Pickett. She served as the first woman on the Roanoke City School Board from 1957 to 1962, and was selected Mother of the Year in the Field of Education in 1958. Gwen served on an all-woman advisory board for the former Central Fidelity Bank; and was the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors of the Merchants Association of Roanoke Valley. She was an active community leader, serving on many boards and committees during her lifetime.
In 2000, long after her retirement, the New Century Women's Council recognized her many accomplishments, by awarding her the New Century Women's Leadership Award for Lifetime Achievement, calling her "a woman ahead of her time."
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Edward C. Moomaw Sr. (Ted). She is survived by her son, Edward C. Moomaw Jr. (Teddy) and daughter-in-law, Terry Moomaw, of Roanoke; her daughter, Virginia Moomaw Savage (Ginny), of Salem; grandson, Edward M. Savage (Ned); two granddaughters, Amanda Moomaw (Mandy) and Abigail Moomaw (Abby); as well as nieces and nephews in Alabama and Louisiana.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at Second Presbyterian Church. Arrangements will be organized by Oakey's Downtown, 540-982-2100.
In lieu of flowers, Gwen has requested memorials to the Endowment Fund of Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Avenue, Roanoke, Va. 24016.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gwen Moomaw
Linda Banner
November 14, 2008
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the friends and family that Mrs. Moomaw so enjoyed over the years, as well as to all of her World Travel Service employees. I was privileged to be one of her employees and as Pam Cundiff has said, we all learned so very much from her. Mrs. Moomaw’s contributions in the field of education, to the war effort of WWII, to the business community of the Roanoke Valley and her leadership in the travel industry have given many the reasons to describe her as “a Renaissance woman, ahead of her time”. Her obituary really says it well…if anyone had the right to say, “...been there, done that…”…it was Mrs. Moomaw. And she brought all the lessons of her very diverse life to us each and every day with such grace and humility…lessons that have stayed with us and remain relevant even today. She would remind us to wear sunscreen and then tell us of the days when she was a pilot and flew in that open cockpit with the sun blazing on her cheeks…she would remind us of the need to always be frugal and to ‘save everything and waste nothing’ and then tell us the ‘secret’ of her special Christmas Pudding while reminding us of a spartan existence during the depression…and she was never short of entertaining travel sagas that inevitably would help us in our work. She inspired us with her optimism and zest for life, with her enthusiasm for her work and her clients, and always had a wonderful smile for everyone…and her laugh was just so infectious…if she was laughing, you were too! She was such a bright spirit in all the lives of those she touched…we tremendously admired and respected her, we loved her, and we shall all miss her very much.
With heartfelt condolences and much Thanksgiving for her life and her legacy.
Freda Harrison
November 13, 2008
Dearest Ginny, May God be close to you in your time of loss. I remember your beautiful mother as being sweet in spirit and competative in nature and ever mindful of her family. She always looked like a million dollars and was always gracious. I know you were as proud of her as she was of you. I will keep you in my prayers. Freda
Elinor Todd
November 12, 2008
Dear Ted and Ginny, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time in your life. The two and a half years that I worked for your mother were an enjoyable time in my life and she was always very nice to me. May God be with you at this time and comfort you. Kindest Regards, Elinor Todd
Betty Hall
November 12, 2008
Mrs Moo was a special lady - she was gutsy and full for life. She will be missed
Debbie Elig
November 12, 2008
Ginny, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. God Bless. Deb Elig
Roma & Walter Hermann
November 12, 2008
The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.
Bernie Sanders
November 12, 2008
May you feel your God's arms around you and your family during this most difficult time. Trust him to provide you with the strength and courage to celebrate Gwen's special life.
Tim & Nancy Burton
November 11, 2008
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Josie Bishop
November 11, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Moomaw/Savage family. Mrs. Moomaw was a remarkable woman and a true southern lady. May you celebrate her amazing life!
Pam Cundiff
November 11, 2008
My deepest sympathies to the family. Mrs. Moomaw was a special and gifted lady. I learned much from her.
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