The Rev. Sandra J. Foley Gaylord

MADISON -The Rev. Sandra Foley Gaylord, age 80, of Madison, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2016. She was born on July 27, 1936, in Oconomowoc, the daughter of Patrick and Ruth (Koeppler) Foley. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1954. She received the Joseph E. Davies Scholarship and attended the University of Wisconsin, receiving a Bachelor's degree in Education. Following graduation she became a missionary teacher for the Methodist Church in Pakistan. When she returned to the U.S. she enrolled at Garrett Theological Seminary where she met her future husband, Frank Gaylord. They were married on Sept. 7, 1963. Sandra and Frank lived in several cities around Wisconsin as he served United Methodist Churches in Fort Atkinson, Green Bay, Platteville, Madison and Waukesha. While living in Platteville, Sandra earned a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from UW-Platteville. She was involved in many different activities including: in Platteville, she was part of a group of church women who organized a thrift shop; in Madison, she volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother, a telephone counselor for Cancer Information Service, Madison Children's Museum, a Sunday school teacher, as well as working with the Sanctuary movement and other peace related activities. Sandra was always ready to speak about her missionary experiences when churches would invite her to speak at Mission Emphasis Sunday. She and Frank co-wrote several units of Sunday school curriculum for the United Methodist Church, and she completed one unit on her own. Sandra was also active in the United Methodist Women serving as dean and assistant dean in the Conference Schools of Christian Mission, and teaching several of their classes throughout the years. In Green Bay, she did substitute and homebound teaching. In Madison, Sandra taught at the Preschool of the Arts. She then became Director of Christian Education at First United Methodist Church. With the children in college, Sandra returned to Garrett to complete the work on her Master of Divinity Degree. While completing her seminary work, she served the churches at Spring Prairie and Lyons. Sandra later served North Prairie and Eagle UMC's before joining Frank as one of the pastors at Waukesha First UMC for seven years. In that capacity, she had special responsibility for the missions work area and for Christian Education. While living in Waukesha, she was involved with the Cooperating Congregations of Greater Waukesha and with the CROP walk, as well as with activities of the Greater Milwaukee Conference on Religion and Urban Affairs. Sandra served on the Conference Board of Missions (Global Ministries), the Committee on Interfaith and Interreligious Concerns, the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Ordained Ministry. In her retirement from active service, she was able to indulge her gypsy inclinations and she and Frank traveled as often as money and schedules would permit; Italy, Central Europe, Spain, Mexico, China, Alaska and Peru. Sandra spent her 75th birthday on a work trip to the Dominican Republic with a bi-lingual group from Monona UMC. She enjoyed her contacts with people from other countries, and especially enjoyed the time spent teaching English to Tibetan students with the Madison Area Literacy Network. She was an Oblate at Holy Wisdom Monastery for 10 years. Sandra is survived by her husband; children, Christopher (Jessica) Gaylord, Paul (Heidi) Gaylord and Laura Gaylord; grandchildren, Amanda (Alex) Nelson, Margaret Gaylord, Rebecca Gaylord, Jared Gaylord and Madeline Gaylord; siblings, Lawrence (Margo) Foley, Kathleen (Robert) Crupi, Patrick (Sandy) Foley, Ruth Giese and Michelle (Dennis) Larson; and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at MONONA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 606 Nichols Rd., Monona, at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, July 28, 2016, with the Rev. Brad Van Fossen officiating. Visitation and luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Monona United Methodist Church or United Methodist Children's Services of Wisconsin, 3940 West Lisbon Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53208. Special thanks to Home Health Care United and Agrace HospiceCare staff and volunteers. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420