Obituary of Gaylen Schrieber Pugh

Gaylen Schrieber Pugh, 74, a resident of Venice, FL died peacefully at home 4/21/23 with her beloved husband, Henry, at her side.  Gaylen was a native of Montgomery, AL. She was a graduate of Huntingdon College and later received her Masters degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Alabama and her PhD in Special Education Administration from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.  She had a long career in the field of special education with emphasis on needs assessment for the deaf and blind communities. Another great passion of Gaylen’s was her work in community theater. Being the wife of a USAF officer gave her the opportunity to grace stages at their various postings, including Rome, NY, Albuquerque, NM, Colorado Springs, CO and Washington, D.C. and subsequent to Henry’s military retirement, for nearly 20 years in Huntsville, AL. One of her first roles in high school was as Emily Webb in Our Town with her future husband playing the role of her father.  In many of her stage roles Gaylen was often described as a veritable show stopping tour de

force which was precisely the same way she led her entire life.

Gaylen was predeceased by her parents Kate Reaves Schrieber and Stanley F. Schrieber. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Henry Lewis  Pugh, Jr., Colonel, USAF (Retired); daughter Katherine P. Hanneman (Ben); granddaughters Clara and Evelyn; brother in law Dr. John B. Pugh; sisters in law Jane P. Richardson (Tom), Jill P. Murphy (Bryan); her cousins James W. Mills  III (June), Richard A. Mills, Laura Lynn Mills, Charles H. Frazier (Nancy) and Frankie Frazier Nordlund; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Gaylen’s life exemplified her strong Christian faith. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and a faithful steadfast friend to so many. Her positive impact on others has been deep and wide and will remain a lasting legacy. All who knew Gaylen would agree that she took Philippians 4:6 to heart reflecting in the life she led “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—anything excellent or praiseworthy”. 

A celebration of life service will be held from Farley Funeral Home in Venice, FL at 10:30 AM Monday May 1, 2023. A reception will be held there immediately following the service. Visitation for family will be prior to the service at 9 AM with a public visitation at 9:45 AM.. A brief commitment service will be at Sarasota National Cemetery 9810 State Rd.72, Sarasota, FL at 1:30 PM.

Among the pallbearers will be several dear friends and relatives. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Tunnel to Towers, the missions fund of Christ Venice Church, or Huntingdon College would be appreciated.

Special appreciation is given to her doctors, the staff of Tidewell Hospice, and friends in the community who were of invaluable service in Gaylen’s last days.