Mrs. Margaret Gandy's Obituary
Gandy, Margaret Jean Parham, 77, of Tampa, went home on April 8, 2010. She was a native Floridian born in Orlando on August 14, 1932. She graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in recreation education, was a member of Delta Zeta sorority and managed the campus radio station. Her second degree was a Master of Religious Education from Duke Divinity. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Margaret was an advocate for education and committed to her faith, her family, and her students. She was an active member of Palma Ceia United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She started as a volunteer at Plant High School in 1985 and became a member of the school staff in 1986. Margaret developed the first guidance resource specialist program in the state at Plant and nurtured similar programs throughout the state of Florida receiving national recognition for her accomplishments. With her creative loving mind she could unerringly find the strategies for positive outcomes. Her students at Plant affectionately nicknamed her office "Gandyland". In the summer of 1998 she founded and shepherded the H.B. Plant Rowing Association leading the Panther Girls varsity 4 rowing team to become the first Hillsborough County boat to win a major event in a state competition in 2003. She was recognized in 2002 as the Rotary Clubs first recipient of the "Outstanding Educator Award". After retiring in 2003, she continued her work through College Guidepost and actively worked with the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling. She is predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Sophia Parham and sister, Dorothy Lusink. Margaret is survived by her beloved husband of over 50 years, William "Bill" Gandy; son, Lee (Renee') Gandy; daughter, Marcia Gandy (Aaron MacMaster); four grandchildren, Brandon (Roxanne), Christian (Jamie), Jarrod and Joshua Gandy, and her great-granddaughter, Allie. She is also survived by many loving family members and very dear friends. A celebration of Margaret's life will take place 11:30 A.M. Saturday, April 24, 2010 at H.B. Plant High School Auditorium, 2415 South Himes Avenue Tampa, Florida 33629 with reception to follow at 12:30 P.M. at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 3501 West San Jose Street, Tampa, Florida 33629 . Online condolences may be expressed at www.BozaRoel.com. Boza & Roel Funeral Home
4730 North Armenia Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33603
(813) 877-7676
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