Gale Lynn Waldron's Obituary
Gale was born in New Jersey in 1947 to George and Eileen Kentera. Growing up in a newspaper family, she lived in many areas surrounding the metro D.C. area. After graduating from Radford College, she went to work on Capitol Hill where she met and married Gerry Waldron. With their daughter Sarah, they settled in Loudoun County in 1985. Her love for creative and interesting people, the area’s beauty and the art community compelled her to spend the rest of life here.
It is here where she found her calling. For more than two decades, Gale committed herself to celebrating, supporting, and growing the arts in Loudoun County. From launching her own magazine - Loudoun Art in 1997 - to founding and nurturing Gallery 222 and the Loudoun Academy of the Arts Foundation.
She served on the Arts Advisory Committee of Loudoun County and on the Balch Library Mural Committee for two years in its mission to complete a public art project (2002). She also was on the Board of the Aurora Theatre Group and the Town of Leesburg’s Public Art commission.
As past President of the Loudoun Arts Council, she revamped the organization’s branding and messaging to encompass a member newsletter, logo and website. Also in this role, she directed the 2003, 2005 and 2007 Designer Showhouses, fundraising events for the Arts Council, as well as increased its membership to more than 400.
She volunteered her time with many arts organizations and events, including the annual Four Seasons of Oatlands Art Show and Sale, the town of Leesburg’s Fall Into the Arts Festival, the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce on Horsing Around Event. Gale also served on the Western Loudoun Studio Artists Tour and on the Loudoun County Art Advisory Board.
She was a forerunner to the founding of the Leesburg Public Art commission, having proposed a mural project (2007?) for the downtown district. While this proposal was not granted, it served as a catalyst in establishing guidelines for public art projects. Now, 10 years later, the Public Art Commission has made great strides in bringing art to public spaces for all to enjoy.
She also served as secretary to the Lincoln Community League and was one of the founders of the town’s 4th of July Parade, a non-motorized celebration.
In 2002, along with Sarah Huntington, Gale co-authored a book entitled In Their Own Words, a collection of vignettes from 32 notable Loudoun personalities.
She leaves a hole in the hearts of her husband of 46 years, Gerry Waldron, beautiful daughter, Sarah Waldron of Belfast, ME, and loving sister, Jean Hendrickson of Chapel Hill, NC, along with friends far and wide whom she loved.
An event to celebrate her life with family and friends will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in Gale’s name to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 Cork St., Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601 or https://brhospice.org/giving/donate-now/.
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