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Gayle Frances Lenda

Gayle Frances Lenda (née Wallace), 84, passed away peacefully on May 11 at Yale New Haven Hospital, Saint Raphael. A longtime resident of Guilford, she spent the last two years at The Village at Mariner’s Point in East Haven with her husband of 57 years, Raymond David Lenda, who survives her. Gayle was born July 11, 1938, at Hartford Hospital to Francis E. (1905-1955) and Helen (Myers) Wallace (1909-2004). Her brother Robert Francis Wallace (Gloria) predeceased her in 2022.

She grew up on Spring Street in Windsor Locks, attending Catholic school K-9. She began her high school studies at Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA, before graduating from Menlo-Atherton High School in California, where her family had relocated. She attended Central Connecticut State University, followed by employment with Southern New England Telephone Company. She met her husband, Raymond Lenda, in 1965, on a ski trip. They married at St Mary’s in Newington on May 14, 1966, and welcomed twin boys on March 22, 1967.

The family first settled in Durham before moving to their home of over 40 years on East River Road in Guilford. She worked for over 25 years managing an oral maxillofacial surgery practice in Guilford. She enjoyed the close friendships and relationships made over the many years working there. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling with trips to over 20 countries and made lifelong friendships along the way. She doted on her precious grandchildren and was the quintessential “Nana.” She was a lover of animals, especially cats, UConn women’s basketball, gardening, and good political jokes.

In addition to her husband Ray, she is survived by son Curt and his wife Jennifer of New Canaan, and son Christopher and his children, Audrey and Alex Lenda of Essex. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Ben Lenda of Rhode Island; sisters-in-law Barbara Kardok of Massachusetts, Anne Lenda of Rhode Island, and Gloria Wallace of Florida; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Robert Wallace, her sister-in-law Joanne Lenda, and her brother-in-law Charles Kardok.

Friends are invited to calling hours from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 10, at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford, followed by a memorial service at noon at the Guilford Funeral Home. Burial services at Alder Brook Cemetery in Guilford will be held privately. Memorial donations may be made in Gayle’s name to the Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 734, Clinton, CT 06413; www.forgottenfelinesct.org or an animal rescue of your choice. Her family extends a special thank you to those at YNHH and The Village who cared for her in recent months. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.