Online Condolences

Margaret Gandy was a rare individual that made each person she encountered better for having known her. She loved with her whole heart and each person felt her love. She was never too busy to put aside what ever she was doing, give her full attention and great advice. She personified caring, grace, and love. The world has lost a treasure and heaven has gained one. The Tanner family was much blessed for having Mrs. Gandy in our lives.
Posted by: Jett Tanner Tampa, FL - friend   Apr 13, 2010
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So sorry about the death of this wonderful woman. I have fond memories of our time together at the Children's Community Theater in Drew Park. Sincerely, Gail
Posted by: Gail Hirsch Tampa, FL - friend   Apr 13, 2010
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Mrs. Gandy touched many people in the Tampa community, even us boosters of the arch-rival Hillsborough H.S. crew team! I always looked forward to visiting with her during crew team practices at the University of Tampa back in 1999-2003, when my son rowed for Hillsborough. Later, as a local admissions rep for the US Coast Guard Academy, I recall bumping into her at a college fair at Plant H.S. She still remembered me and was interested in hearing how my son was doing at the Academy. Mrs Gandy was a true and lovely lady!
Posted by: Patricia Prado Tampa, FL - Hillsborough H.S. Crew Team Mom   Apr 13, 2010
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Lee, Marcia and Bill, I am so sorry for your loss. Margaret Jean, as she was always known to us, will be sorely missed. I hope you can take some comfort in the fact that she is with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Margaret Jean was always my Dad's favorite cousin...and now they are together again. She had a significant impact on my life. Without her I would not be where I am today. Margaret Jean was humble, joyful, selfless, and brilliant. You were always in better spirits after spending time with her. Thank you for sharing your Mom/wife with us. Our prayers will be with you.
Posted by: Rick Parham Dade City, FL - Nehpew   Apr 12, 2010
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I extend to Margaret's family my sympathy regarding her untimely death. Our prayers are with you at this sad time. She will be remembered and missed by many. Janie Langel
Posted by: Janie Langel Tampa, FL - former colleague   Apr 12, 2010
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I feel very lucky to have met Margaret early in my time as a young college admissions counselor, when I was still lugging boxes of brochures to college fairs. She was a wonderful woman and such a great inspiration to us all--always so caring and thoughtful, and such fun at the same time. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Posted by: Sonia Wu Sarasota, FL - college counseling colleague   Apr 12, 2010
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Margaret touched the lives of many students and families, always ready to help guide them through the ever challenging and changing college and financial aid process. Likewise, she was always interested in helping her colleagues in finding ways to assist families, and keeping students' best interests in mind. She will be missed by many and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Posted by: Caro Massari Tampa, FL - Fellow College Counselor   Apr 12, 2010
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Mrs. Gandy was a class-act and I will never forget her patience and dedication at PHS. She is remembered as a woman who made an impact on the hopes and dreams of many teenagers by serving them with encouragement and respect. My thoughts and prayers are with the Gandy family.
Posted by: Sarah Romano Hart Tampa, FL   Apr 12, 2010
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Bill and Family, please accept my heart felt condolences. I knew Margaret through you and knew what a very special person she was. Margaret's tireless efforts to ensure that students had the best education they could get along with her encouragement to those students who were uncertain if college was even possible are to be commended. I know she will be greatly missed in your lives as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, but just know that she left a legacy behind that will live on and on in the lives she changed.
Posted by: Barbara Alling Tampa, FL - Friend   Apr 12, 2010
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Margaret assisted all three of our children: Morgan, Derick, and Aubrey. She was at Plant with the first two and that was where I came to appreciate her incredible talent and gift that she had with young people. The students loved her. She helped my daughter after she started College Guide Post. She was always available and always offered sound advice. We shall miss her. Sharon, Fred, Morgan, Derick and Aubrey.
Posted by: Sharon Morgan Vollrath Tampa, FL - friend   Apr 12, 2010
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It is difficult to find words to describe the hole left by the loss of our dear Margaret Gandy. Our friendship began when I volunteered in the College Resource Room and continued through our involvement in community organizations. I will always credit Margaret for encouraging and mentoring me to join her chosen career. As a dear friend, mentor and colleague we conversed regularly. We served as travel companions to our professional conferences and enjoyed such great times. Margaret’s energy always surpassed mine as I worked to maintain her pace. She enjoyed new acquaintances and looked forward to exchanges with old friends. Her patience knew no limitation and her wisdom no boundaries. Margaret always knew what to do and how to state any thought with her own special style of clarity, grace and humor. The loss is great. Solace may be found in the ground-breaking work that Mrs. Gandy accomplished in the industry of college and financial aid counseling that define her status as a legend. She will be remembered as the Guru who knew all, always generous to share her knowledge, and brilliant with ideas for the future. Margaret Gandy truly loved her work and will always remain at the top of the profession. I will miss my friend, mentor, and colleague deeply. I am eternally grateful and will always cherish our friendship and times we shared. There is no doubt in my mind the heavens are being organized to seek and achieve individual goals and look ahead to the brightness of the future! Rest In Peace, my treasured friend. You are already deeply missed. The entire Landesberg Family sends our love and condolences.
Posted by: Debra Landesberg Holmes Beach and Tampa, FL - Friend, Mentee, Colleague   Apr 12, 2010
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Mr. Gandy, Our hearts are heavy with prayers for you and your family. May God give you comfort and strength. May he bring you peace. May he give you joy in beautiful memories. As we light this candle, we HONOR Margaret and CELEBRATE her life. May this candle shed light on all the many lives she touched with her love and her many talents. Now with God, her "GUIDING LIGHT" shines on. . . FOREVER!
Posted by: Scott & Alecia Peters & Family    Apr 12, 2010
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Mr. Gandy and family: my deepest condolences on the loss of a truly amazing and inspiring woman. I first met Mrs. Gandy when I was in 4th grade and she helped out as a leader in my girl scout troop. I went on to graduate from Plant in 1992 and once again got to experience her wonderful love for every student that walked through her door. My prayers are with you all in this difficult time and I pray that the Lord gives you the comfort and peace you need.
Posted by: Kimberly Riffel Lakeland, FL - Former student and girl scout   Apr 12, 2010
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Our deepest sympathy to all of Margaret's family. We were fortunate enough to work with her when our son was applying to college. She was always the voice of calm and reason during that often stressful time in our lives. She was warm, caring, encouraging, and responsive to all of us. We often spoke to each other about how her job must be so rewarding and give her hope for the future of our world as she would see all the children who will be our future working hard to realize their own dreams. We will always appreciate her hard work and caring ways.
Posted by: Sharri and Peter Benjamin Tampa, FL - Client   Apr 11, 2010
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Margaret Gandy was such an inspiration to me and all the mother's who volunteered for her at Plant High School. I learned so much from her. She was kind, gracious, giving and so very knowledgeable. When Margaret touched your life, she made a positive impact. For those of us who were lucky enough to know her---we will never forget her.
Posted by: Brenda Cusack Tampa, FL - Friend   Apr 11, 2010
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PLease accept my most heartfelt condolences. I first met Margaret in 1996 during my second year at Guilford College in NC. Throughout the subsequent stages of my career at Northeastern, the University of Georgia and now at USF in Tampa, I never once encountered anyone in public secondary education who cared more for her students or who possessed a kinder heart. Thus, it was the highlight of my SACAC presidency to present Margaret with the Bill Starling Award for Mentorship. Please let me know what plans are being made for a memorial service. Margaret will be deeply missed by many!
Posted by: J Robert Spatig Tampa, FL - Colleague, friend and mentee   Apr 11, 2010
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Our family grieves the loss of sweet Mrs. Gandy. She treated every student with so much caring and grace and a walking encyclopedia of college information. I bet she is sharing a few tips with the angels.
Posted by: Mary Scourtes Tampa, FL - friend   Apr 11, 2010
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Mrs. Gandy was that "go-to" person that was totally on the ball. When my daughter, Chase Petrik, was an incoming Freshman, I remember Mrs. Gandy and I dreaming about forming the crew team. I had already been crewing for three years with two groups that I formed (Chases and an adult group). She was so enthusiastic and had already been trying to organize. Her motivation? Scholarships. She never missed a beat regarding how the benefit to students. Four years later, I knew Chase was in great hands regarding all the steps necessary for college applications. In the end Chase went to the school of her choice (FSU) and we got to relax a bit while she enjoyed her Senior Year at Plant. Mrs. Gandy was always available and on point. Her professional network expanded the globe and her students benefitted greatly from this. Most of all, it was her big caring heart attached to that smile that will be missed. The legacy that she leaves behind is imbedded in the many students and parents to carry forward. Farewell my friend. Janice Davis
Posted by: Janice Davis Tampa, FL - Former Plant High School Mom   Apr 11, 2010
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Every graduate of H.B. Plant, myself included ('99), is grateful for her tireless efforts to make students' dreams come true regardless of destination. In addition to being extremely helpful, flexible, and efficient, Mrs. Gandy was charming and accessible to everyone whom she could help. I consider myself lucky to have known her, and I express my sincere condolences to her family in this time.
Posted by: Justin Jaworski OH   Apr 11, 2010
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I am so thankful for being in Margaret's presence a month ago. Her sense of humor and cheerfulness showed no signs of what she was going through. Once again she made everyone around her feel so loved and important. I loved hearing about her family. My condolences to Bill, Lee, Marcia and the grandchildren. Margaret's loving kindness will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers are with the family now.
Posted by: Barbara Landers Falls Church,, VA - Girl Scout Mentor and Friend   Apr 11, 2010
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Plant High School rowing crew team wishes to thank Mrs. Gandy for having the vision and setting the foundation for the school rowing team. This year, 2010, over 100 student athletes are participating in the sport of rowing. Mrs. Gandy has left a legacy with all students at HB Plant High, especially student rowers. We thank you and love you, H.B. Plant 'Crew'
Posted by: Gil Morales on behalf of Plant High Rowing Team Tampa, FL - Plant High School Rowing "Crew"   Apr 11, 2010
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Our condolences on the loss of your loved one. Margaret was an exceptional person and touched many lives. We know she will live on with you in your hearts forever.
Posted by: Laura & Frank Bemis Tampa, FL - Family friend   Apr 11, 2010