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BORN
1940
DIED
2025
Gayle Iadevaia Obituary
May 19, 1940 - April 25, 2025
Gayle Babette Johnson Iadevaia ("Miz Iddy"), a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted nurse, passed away on April 25th in the company of her loving son. A soft spoken, elegant lady, always radiating kindness and goodness of heart. She left behind a legacy of compassion, creativity, and unwavering dedication to her family and career.
Born on May 19, 1940, in Hammond, Indiana, Gayle was adored by her younger brothers, Buz and Ted. After graduating Hammond High School, she began a career as an American Airlines stewardess (class of 1960). It was during this time, she met the love of her life, Thomas (Tom) Iadevaia who also worked for the airline. They married on October 13, 1963, settled in New York and a few years later welcomed their only child Thomas Anthony (T.A.) Iadevaia. In 1970 they moved to Tulsa Oklahoma with American Airlines.
While raising T.A., Gayle obtained an Associate Degree in Nursing from Tulsa Junior College, became a registered nurse and dedicated 30 years of service as a NICU nurse at Hillcrest Hospital. Blessed were those children and parents to whom Gayle's gentle spirit and skilled hands brought comfort to countless families during their most vulnerable moments.
Outside of her professional life, Gayle had many connections with her dear American Airlines "gals", her beloved church and the Tulsa Sewing Guild which helped hone her talent and creativity. As a masterful sewer and all-around creative genius, she poured her artistry into everything she touched. She left behind hand-sewn treasures (most recently gnomes), hats for cancer patients and so many more memories - each stitched with selfless love.
Gayle was preceded in death by her beloved husband Tom, and her parents, Stella Johnson and Devaun Johnson. She is survived by her son, T.A. Iadevaia Jr., and daughter-in-law Kimberly; her cherished granddaughters Abbey Campbell (Eric) and Meghan Rose Iadevaia; and her great-granddaughters, Jazmine and Sarah. She also leaves behind her dear brothers, Ted Johnson (Nancy) and Buz Johnson (Cheryl).
Gayle's warmth, strength, and creative spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorial service will be 1 p.m. June 7th at Unity of Tulsa - Midtown.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her memory to the American Sewing Guild https://www.asg.org/product/donate/.
Memories and Condolences
for Gayle Iadevaia
5 Entries
Judie Kleinschmidt
June 6, 2025
Gayle was the first person I became friends with at Washington Junior High School when my family moved from Chicago to Hammond, IN, in the early 50s. I wish we’d had a pedometer back then to count the many steps between her house on Jefferson Street and mine on Garfield. High school came and went, I went on to college, and beautiful Gayle became a stewardess where she met and married Tom. Through weddings, babies, and while living in various locations, we were always able to keep in touch. When our oldest son moved to Fort Worth in 2000, we were able to spend a weekend with Gayle and Tom either on our way to or coming home from Texas. We couldn’t travel any more after 2018, but we exchanged texts until a week or so before she passed. My phone will miss her and so will I. RIP Gayle; you made your mark.
Jane Lord
June 4, 2025
I worked with Gayle for several years in NICU and continued our friendship afterward, for the next 30 years. A more genuine person does not exist. Gayle was kind, thoughtful, caring, and had an amazing sense of humor. I shall miss her dearly.
Judy Snelling
June 3, 2025
Just met Gayle about two years ago at American selling Gail Tulsa chapter
We would talk during meetings, and she shared with me Various apparel patterns would email me the number of the patterns if I liked one of her outfits and she was also so very nice. So that's where I knew her from American sewing guild Tulsa. I just found out today with a new another sewing group that she had passed. Very sweet, kind sharing person.
Christy Lyke
June 2, 2025
Oh Miz Iddy: I loved you so. You were the kindest and sweetest person on the face of this earth. You will forever be missed.
I was the night nursing supervisor at Hillcrest. I would regularly make rounds on the nurseries and L & D along with the rest of the hospital. We became good friends and communicated all these years at Christmas.
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Carolyn McCrary
June 2, 2025
Very classy lady. Excellent nurse. She was a gentle and kind lady. I worked as an RN in labor and delivery for many years and she attended the deliveries when we needed her to take care of the newborn.
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