Gaynelle Grover

Gaynelle Grover

Gaynelle died on September 22, 2025 at the age of 70 surrounded by family and loved ones after a seven-month battle with a very aggressive cancer. She was born March 11, 1955 in Springfield Massachusetts to Barbara and Horace (Bud) Grover.

Gaynelle was a member of the first class of women at Amherst College, majoring in both Fine Arts and Dramatic Arts. After graduation she spent several years working in professional theaters in New England before a move to California prompted a career change to graphic design. Ultimately deciding that she needed more formal design education, she returned East to pursue a Masters degree in Graphic Design at Yale University.

After Yale she returned to California, where she worked in smaller design agencies before landing a job at Landor Associates, a global branding agency. Realizing that she enjoyed the business of brand building as much as brand identity design, she transitioned into a role as brand strategist.

Gaynelle went on to be a Creative Director at Apple, and later launched StealThunder, a branding consultancy, which she and her husband, Peter, ran for 30 years. She had just started a position as a Director at Ford Motor Company when she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Gaynelle was a cycling enthusiast. She spent one summer riding across much of the Western United States and Canada. More recently she enjoyed logging Strava miles and chasing "Queen of the Mountain" feats on Bay Area roads and trails. Among her Strava achievements was taking part in the Festive 500 cycling challenge-covering 630 kilometers in local rides during the week between Christmas and New Year's.

But the biggest joy in her life-and her most fulfilling role-was as the mother to her identical twin sons. She was deeply involved in helping children on the autism spectrum. She mentored and built community with other parents, and created an online resource and support group for families pursuing biomedical treatments for ASD.

Gaynelle leaves her husband Peter Russert, her sons Andrew (Drew) and Skyler (Sky) Russert, and her stepson Brendan Russert and his wife Dr. Enanyeli Rangel.