Margeret was a beloved friend and high school guidance wizard. All of our children benefited from her expert advice. Working closely with Margeret, our daughter received an appointment to a U. S. service academy, exactly what she sought, and today is a career military officer. Our sons also entered college with Margeret's help. Her selflessness and humanity were beyond description.
Sandee & Doug Hart,
Tampa, Florida
April 23, 2010
On behalf of City Council of the City of Tampa, we extend our utmost sympathy to the family of this wonderful and caring lady who gave so much unselfishly to this community to further the education and success of so many of our youth. Her efforts will be memoralized through the thousands of students that she has assisted through the years. Sincerely,
Tampa City Council,
Tampa, Florida
April 21, 2010
Although I didn't know Margaret well, she was a friendly face when I walked into various counselor conferences. She always made an effort to ask me about myself and how work was going.
She was truly a kind and caring person and I'm sorry I didn't get to spend more time with her.
She was truly a kind and caring person and I'm sorry I didn't get to spend more time with her.
Heather Von Seggern,
Bradenton, Florida
April 16, 2010
Margaret Gandy was "old-school", with a true love of her students and a desire to do whatever was necessary to see her students succeed. She was the kind of person who would fight on behalf of her student and never tired of sharing her wealth of wisdom with others. It is with great sadness that I hear of her passing. She will certainly be missed. Our sympathies to her family.
The Craparos,
Tampa, Florida
April 14, 2010
I can honestly say that I am where I am today profeessionally because of Margaret....she was my mentor, my advisor, and most of all my dear friend! She convinced me to realize my dream of graduating from University of Florida, she supported me when times were difficult, she was my resource anytime I had a question or needed advice-I could always count on her to be there when I needed her, to build me up when ever I felt down, to give me the confidence to tackle a project. Margaret was a wonderful person, passionate about her work and loyal to her friends. I will truly miss her.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Bill, Lee, Marcia and family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Bill, Lee, Marcia and family.
Marianne Beck,
Tampa, Florida
April 14, 2010
Mrs. Gandy was a great influence for both of my sons--John Chastain and Will Chastain. She was there at Will's funeral and spoke very kind words to me. She IS the best. Bill Chastain
William Chastain,
Tampa, Florida
April 14, 2010
Margaret was a great lady who cared deeply about students. She will be missed.
Meg Bell
Meg Bell
April 14, 2010
I will admit right off that I loved Margaret Gandy. My recently deceased father Paul Wharton had the vision to see how important her position was and what a wonderful resource and friend she was to people of all ages. As Assistant Superintendent of Schools, he implemented her position into all of the schools in Hillsborough County after seeing its importance through her success. Margaret was that rare breed of people who know how to listen. She would look at you (the parent, the student, a colleague or just a friend) patiently waiting for you to have your say. Margaret would then gently suggest...not insist upon...a plan or provide information that often became the perfect solution. Margaret was my mentor. As an ACT and SAT tutor, I could always call her or refer a parent to her for advice. Having lost both of my parents this past year, we became particularly close. I feel that I lost a third. Her influence left her mark on thousands. Dear Margaret, you are missed. Thank you for touching my life.
Mary Wharton Schroeder,
Tampa, Florida
April 13, 2010
We will miss you Mrs. Gandy. Thank you for being such an inspiration. At such a life-changing moment as preparing for your next steps after high school graduation, you expertly guided so many students.
Tara (Marczynski) Slusher,
Tampa, Florida
April 13, 2010
Margaret Gandy was a rare individual that made the life of each person she encountered better for having known her. We will miss the love she poured on us all.
Jett Tanner,
Tampa, Florida
April 13, 2010
Margaret was a real champion of Rowing and understood the value of youth participation in this sport. It was Margaret who started and founded The Plant High School Crew. Margaret by opening up this opportunity for Plant students to participate understood before anyone in Tampa how to leverage scholarships for those students who performed at a high level. The Rowing community will miss her.
Tom Feaster, Board of Directors US Rowing Association, President, The Stewards Foundation, Inc.
Tom Feaster, Board of Directors US Rowing Association, President, The Stewards Foundation, Inc.
Tom Feaster,
Tampa, Florida
April 13, 2010
She was such a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience. She helped mold the futures of Plant alumni far and near and guided us at such a critical point in our lives. Thank you for making such a huge impact on so many, Mrs. Gandy. You will be missed.
Pam McCoy,
Tampa, Florida
April 13, 2010
Margaret had a vast storehouse of knowledge and a tremendous love for kids!! She was a "mentor" of sorts for me. As a Christian school counselor, there were times that I always knew who to call for an answer or advice. Margaret was NEVER too busy. Her love for the Lord and dedication to students was unending. She will be missed!!!
Val Sutton,
Rochelle, Georgia
April 12, 2010
Words cannot express the gratitude that I have for Mrs. Gandy. She is the reason I am a graduate of Florida State University. I can still remember her bringing me into to her office and insisting that I apply for a summer program at FSU my junior year at Plant. It was attending that summer program that I fell in love with FSU. Thank you for believing in me and seeing my potential. Mrs. Gandy you will be missed.
Paula Wiggins
April 12, 2010
She was the best. Helping so many children find the right (and she always wanted it to be the RIGHT) college to attend. It was an honor to know her.
Lisa Semeyn,
Tampa, Florida
April 12, 2010
Margaret was such a great influence on me - her regard for the welfare of her students was always the first thing on her mind. It was a wonderful experience for me to work with her for ten years at Plant. To Bill. Marcia and Lee I am so sorry for your loss. To all of us she was a very special lady. We will miss her very much.
Anne Ferguson
April 12, 2010
Margaret was all about the students, always. I enjoyed working with her at Plant and enjoyed meeting with her in retirement. She left us too soon. My condolences to her family.
Barbara Shirk,
Apollo Beach, Florida
April 12, 2010
When I arrived in Tampa for the fall of 1988 my job included College Placement at Tampa Prep. Margaret warmly welcomed me to the College Counseling community in the Tampa area. She took me under her wing at the first Southern Association conference that I attended. She also shared many of her programs on financial aid. I will always be grateful for meeting and working with Margaret. My prayers and thoughts go out to her family. I will miss her.
Peter Shepley
High school Principal, Tampa Prep
April 12, 2010
To the Gandy famly.
We are so very sorry for your loss. I worked many years with Margaret in the Girl Scouts and she was such an inspiration to me in so many ways.
You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jack and Jenny Terwilliger
Middlebug, Fl
April 12, 2010
When I arrived in Tampa for the fall of 1988 my job included College Placement at Tampa Prep. Margaret warmly welcomed me to the College Counseling community in the Tampa area. She took me under her wing at the first Southern Association conference that I attended. She also shared many of her programs on financial aid. I will always be grateful for meeting and working with Margaret. My prayers and thoughts go out to her family. I will miss her.
Peter Shepley
High school Principal, Tampa Prep
April 12, 2010
To Mrs. Gandy up there,
I have no doubt there will be many similar entries, but I feel the need to say thank you to Mrs. Gandy one more time. When I remember the PHS guidance department I think first of her. There are many "resource counselors" around these days - and there were even before Mrs. Gandy - but I doubt any surpass her combination of kindness, knowledge, and accessibility. Take it from someone who spent plenty of time in the guidance office - she was ALWAYS there for any student who walked in, and not just "there" for 5 minutes, but actually engaged until you had accomplished whatever task lay before you. I was so happy to run into her in Tampa after graduating from college and fill her in on what I was doing with my life and how thankful I was for her help. Mrs. Gandy, as her family and extended family of students know, was a truly genuine woman with an amazing heart. She will be sorely missed by us all, but I'm sure she's up in Heaven telling the angels how to apply for an archangelship even as we speak.
Chris Casagrande,
Tampa, Florida
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April 12, 2010
Dear Gandy Family,
Mrs. Gandy stepped in without hesitation this past fall to lend her expertise and positive attitude to our senior. He really enjoyed working with Margaret -- she especially helped with the deadlines -- and as promised he was accepted at one of his top three choices. With many thanks for Margaret's life and vocation, and warm thoughts for her family at this sad time.
Mary Hurley
April 12, 2010
Margaret was very extraordinary, patient and kind. She put others before herself. Her love of children and education was unique. She helped my son with college counseling although we lived in RI at the time. She was very insturmental in his college choice which has led to his many successes today. When I moved to Florida and met Margaret in person she was everything I knew she would be and more. Margaret will always hold a special place in our hearts...
Marlene Barocas,
St. Petersburg, Florida
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April 12, 2010
I will truly miss my sweet and caring cousin.
Sally Ann Parham Johnson
April 11, 2010
Mrs. Gandy was one very special lady. Her dedication was unmatched to anyone else on the Plant High School staff. Her energy, humbleness, persistence, and positive attitude provided me the much-needed inspiration during my final years at Plant. I enjoyed rowing on the mens novice team, and met with her several times regarding college guidance. She was key to my enrollment into the University of Florida. She pointed me in the right direction for the SAT, college essays, and applications. I completed a BSBA and MS at UF, and now work for ExxonMobil. I wish I could thank her for initiating my path to success. She will be greatly missed; if there could only be more people like her in this world.
Alan Snipes,
Houston, Texas
April 11, 2010
To the family of Mrs. Gandy...I have very fond memories of visiting Mrs. Gandy with my mom. She and my mother (along with other wonderful women) were the Girl Scout leaders of my sisters troop, and later my troop. Her dedication to the scouts is one of the many reason I am now a Girl Scout Leader of my daughter's troop.
She was a wonderful woman, and I am lucky to have known her. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Erin Terwilliger Howle
Erin Howle,
Middleburg, Florida
April 11, 2010
Rest in Peace! Most sincere condolences to the Gandy Family. Are thoughts and prayers are with the Family and Friends. Cody Gilmore and Rose Alford
Cody Gilmore,
Valrico, Florida
April 11, 2010
My most sincere condolences to the Gandy family. Mrs. Gandy started the rowing team at H.B. Plant High School, which led me to become a 4-year member of the Northwestern University rowing team, and now a special education teacher in Chicago, IL. Her guidance and care for each of her student's was remarkable! She will be missed.
~
Sarah Riggs,
Chicago, Illinois
April 11, 2010
To the family of Mrs. Gandy,
my name is Luke Stallings and I just wanted to send a note of thank you. As I am sure she did for many students, Mrs. Gandy really helped me get to where I am today. She was always there when I had a question, needed guidance or just someone to spend lunch with. I made it through high school in large part because she was there to show me the way. I was once in a tight spot because of a bad decision I made. I came to Mrs. Gandy and explained the situation and she saw it for what it was: a mistake. She used her magic, pulled some strings and got me through. Because of her I was able to finish high school, go onto university and work with an education non-profit in Washington, D.C. She was a special person and I am truly blessed to have been so lucky as to have met her and count her as a mentor. Hopefully I can carry on her work with students for years to come. With sorrow I say thank you one more time.
~
Luke Stallings,
Washington, District of Columbia
April 11, 2010
Bill and Family,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. She was very dear and special to many, many people and will be greatly missed. Sonny and I know that Margaret is with her Lord and is at peace.
If we can help in any way please feel free to call on us. May God Bless you and give you comfort during these hard days ahead.
Love, Sonny and Beverly
