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BORN

1940

DIED

2018

Avril Garscadden Obituary

GARSCADDEN, Avril Avril Margaret Garscadden (nee) Thompson was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on May 24, 1940. After escapes as a child from bombing of that city during WW2, she attended Strandtown School and Ashfield School. She won provincial competitions in voice, piano, and dance. Afterwards she worked for the Harland and Wolff Ship Building Company. As newlyweds, Avril immigrated to the USA with her physicist husband, Alan, in January 1962. They settled in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and remained there raising four children: Graeme, now a pediatrician in Colorado Springs, CO; Neil, a businessman in Tokyo; Gael, a specialist in International Relations at the World Bank in Washington, DC, and Hilary, a physical therapist in Seattle, WA. Once her children were in school, Avril attended Wright State and earned a B.Sc. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. Avril enjoyed music of all kinds especially the classics and she sang with YS Choir in the 70's and 80's. She was an avid reader and listener of UK histories and travel books, a proficient gardener, and most of all she was a prolific expert at fine needlework as the walls of her home attest to with displays of Celtic scripts and patterns, dragons, and cathedrals. Avril and Alan more recently enjoyed cruises to Europe and England, and especially to Australia and New Zealand where some of her mother's family had settled in the 1920's. Once both retired, they traveled more frequently and visited their children and 5 grandchildren: Kyle, Amanda Erin, Jamie, Vivian and Malakai. Avril's favorite photograph was taken on the day she received her US citizenship.

Published by Dayton Daily News on Sep. 13, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
for Avril Garscadden

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Alan, I am so saddened to hear of your loss. Avril was a charming lady, and I so enjoyed meeting her. May pleasant memories of your life together bring you comfort. Patrick Kee

October 26, 2018

I was saddened to learn of Avril's passing. May your memories together help Allen in his difficult times.

Awatef Hamed

September 22, 2018

Donna and I were saddened to hear of Avril's passing. She was a wonderful friend and we will miss her dearly. God bless you, Avril, may you Rest In Peace. Alan, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Michael Heil

September 16, 2018

We are greatly saddened by Avril's death and send our condolences to Alan and family. Best wishes in this difficult time. Kathryn and Brendan Godfrey

Brendan Godfrey

September 15, 2018

An absolutely beautiful lady, inside and out... sparkling, witty, always with a kind smile. God bless you, Avril.

David Herrelko

September 15, 2018

Avril will be missed from the Embroider's Guild.

June DeBernardi

September 13, 2018

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

September 13, 2018

Avril had the kindest smile and her eyes were always twinkling with mischief. Her needlework skills were amazing -- she always put the "art" in artist. I shall miss her so much and can only imagine the chasm her passing leaves in the lives of her family. Her loved ones have my sincere sympathy. Try to remember how lucky you were to have had her; perhaps holding on to that will reduce the pain of her loss -- if only for a moment.

RIP Avril, the world was richer for your being in it.

Jane Kwiecinski

September 13, 2018

Jim and I were shocked to see about the death of Avril in this morning newspaper. All our prayers are with you, Alan, and the family during this great loss. May God bless you, Jim and Mardena Pollock

September 13, 2018

Jim and I were so shocked to see in the newspaper this morning the loss of Avril. All our prayers are with you, Alan, and the family during this great loss in your lives. God bless you, Jim and Mardena Pollock

September 13, 2018

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