Gail (Hadaway) Bartter

Gail Bartter peacefully took her last breath on August 20, 2025 at the age of 94.  Beloved wife of Clyde for 68 years, loving mother of Betsy Muller (George), Suzanne Monnius, and Amy Schmitt (Corbin). Dearest grandmother of Daniel, Amanda, Amy Lynne, Erin, Heather, Patrick and Kyle.  Great Grandmother to Jack. Sister to Mark Hadaway and Joy Walworth (deceased).  

Gail was the daughter of Noye and Donald Hadaway and grew up in North Ridgeville.  

She first met Clyde when they shared the same school bus to North Ridgeville High.  The two didn’t begin dating until years later when they reconnected at church after Gail graduated from Oberlin College.   As they began their relationship, Gail learned she had been selected for a Fulbright Scholarship to teach first grade for a year in Wales.  They corresponded during her months away and at Christmas, Clyde proposed and mailed a ring, suggesting a July wedding.  She accepted and planning began for a fairy tale wedding. Clyde flew overseas and prior to the wedding they were celebrated by the Queen Mother at a garden party.  They were married in Rumney Wales by the local Methodist minister with many school children and families in attendance.  They honeymooned in Wales and cruised on the Queen Mary back to the U.S.  

They soon settled in Parma, Ohio where Gail resumed teaching elementary school until Betsy was born in 1959.  For the next 18 years she became a homemaker and lavished her teaching and creative skills on her growing family.  The family moved to Berea, Ohio in 1965.  As her children got older, she returned to workforce as a part time children’s librarian and became the story lady at the Parma Library.  When the grandchildren came onto the scene, she also helped as a trusted babysitter on her days off from the library.  

Beyond her devotion to home and family, Gail lived well, pursuing many professional passions and in service to others.   Gail is remembered for many unique interests which included letter writing, calligraphy, watercolor painting, teaching Sunday School, bird watching, herb gardening, making herbal floral creations aka “tussie mussies”, gourmet cooking, church camp counselor, world traveler and most of all being an extraordinary grandma.  She was an avid reader who valued lifelong learning,  staying in touch with friends, exploring the outdoors, and cultivating beauty in the kitchen and garden.  She was an active member of the Western Reserve Herb Society and a volunteer at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.  She was considered an expert and often asked to give presentations on herbs and creating “tussie mussies”  -  fragrant herbal floral arrangements.

The wonderful woman we remember has been missing for nearly 15 years.  Dementia robbed her of hobbies, reading, conversation, mobility and memory.    It has been a long goodbye.   She spent her final days surrounded in love by Clyde, her husband of 68 years, daughters, grandchildren and devoted son in laws.  The team at Kemper House Strongsville and Hospice of the Western graciously supported Gail’s circle of love throughout the past 3 years since she entered hospice care.  

Contributions in memory of Gail suggested to The Cleveland Botanical Garden https://holdenfg.org.    Family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday August 30 from 10:30 -12 at the Baker Kensinger Funeral Home in Berea followed by a memorial service at 12:00 p.m..   

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