Gael Carney's Obituary
Gael Ann Getty Carney passed away on October 11, 2014 in Memphis at the age of 66. She was born in Arlington, Virginia to the late Lt. Col. Charles William Getty (U.S. Army) and Henrietta Frances Wilzbacher. As the eldest child in a military family, she grew up around the world, but her fondest memories were from living in Fort Monroe, Virginia, which appealed to her love of nature and the outdoors even at an early age, and from living in Germany, which nurtured her sense of adventure. She attended the College of William and Mary, where she met and married Robert Walter Carney. She was a gifted teacher and shared her lifelong passion for science with her students. After leaving teaching, she moved to medical research, working at the Medical College of Virginia and the University of Nebraska in Omaha. For the last several years, she worked at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She truly enjoyed both her job and co-workers, and she found their work stimulating and fulfilling. Her research concentrated on inborn errors of metabolism and hematologic disorders. An avid gardener, she also loved reading and travel. She was generous, compassionate and not afraid of challenges. She freely volunteered her time to families with autistic children. She also had a special connection with animals throughout her life. Gael is survived by her children, Judi Carney and Mark Carney; as well as her siblings, Sheila Getty, Sharon Getty Millsap, Michael Getty, Juan Getty, and Andrea Getty. She was preceded in death by her sister Linda Getty. A memorial service was held at the Methodist Hospice Residence in Memphis on October 15, 2014. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Behind the Stone Wall.”
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