Cherry Gale McConnell

Cherry Gale (Little) McConnell

February 17, 1940 – January 5, 2026

Gale Little McConnell passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, in Alexandria, Virginia, following a heavy fall.

She was born on February 17, 1940 with her identical twin sister, Sherry Dale (Little) Guilfoil (deceased), in Gadsden, Alabama to Bill and Hazel Little. She graduated from Auburn University before working as a teacher. In 1963 Gale moved to Mississippi to work for the American Red Cross, where fate stepped in and she met Bob McConnell, the love of her life. They married just four months later, on Christmas Eve, 1963, beginning a remarkable journey together that would take them around the world.

As an Air Force wife, Gale embraced every new posting as a fresh adventure. She and Bob made homes in numerous states as well as abroad in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the former Soviet Union. Her ability to create warmth, elegance, and a sense of belonging wherever they landed became one of her many gifts.

Blessed with impeccable taste and creative vision, Gale later pursued a career in interior design, where she poured her passion and talent into the spaces she transformed.

Gale was an extraordinary woman, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, and friend. Her kindness, strength, humor, and style enriched the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy continues in the stories we share, the memories we cherish, and the love she inspired in everyone fortunate enough to have been part of her life.

She is survived by her husband, Bob McConnell; her daughters, Kirsten Grenside and her husband, Mark Grenside, and Heather Cox and her fiancé, Beau Cook; her granddaughter, Riley Peters, and her husband, Dan Peters; her grandson, Ryan Cox; and her step-grandson, Giacomo Grenside, his wife, Nicole, and their daughter, Sofia. She is also lovingly remembered by many dear friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 2pm at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home at 1500 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, Virginia.

Gale suffered from Macular Degeneration for many years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Gale's memory be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. (1-888-622-8527)

https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E331225&id=4

The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support.