Obituaries
Gizella (Gigi) Parrish Callender, 81
February 15, 2017
Gizella (Gigi) Parrish Callender, 81, of Lancaster, passed away suddenly Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, South America, she was the daughter of the late Robert Harkness Parrish and Grace E. Parrish.
A graduate of both the Ethel Walker School and Wellesley College (class of 1956), Gigi lived in Belgium before settling in Lancaster in the late 1960s.
In the 1970’s, Gigi was a board member of the YWCA and the Lancaster Public Library, and a member of the Junior League of Lancaster. She was currently on the board of QUEST For Learning. She was a woman with a competitive spirit, especially when it came to tennis and bridge.
Gigi was an adventurous traveler. In the late ’70s, she was one of the first Americans to travel to the Soviet Union and China when few Westerners would take that challenge. She shared her love of travel with her daughters through trips to Europe and South America.
Gigi is survived by three daughters: Gizella Anne Crawford and Natalie Callender Bagley, both of Milton, MA, and Christine Callender of Lancaster; four grandchildren: Will and Lucy Crawford and Maddie and Nick Bagley; and her beloved grand dog Georgina.
The Holy Eucharist Mass will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, where she was a member. Friends may join the family at the church (321 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster) 1 hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Library Friends through the Lancaster Public Library website at www.lancaster.lib.pa.us or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Central Pennsylvania online at www.lls.org/central-pennsylvania .
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
March 12, 2017
Dear Gizella, Natalie and Christine,
So sorry about your mom’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Juan Antonio Gutiérrez, Victoria D’Costa, Daniel, Tomas, Alejandro, Sophia and Gabriella Gutiérrez
Natick Mass
February 23, 2017
Dear Anne, Natalie and Christina,
Sending you prayers of comfort in this time when no words can possibly be adequate. Your mother had such zest for life and other cultures — she was an example to us all. I came across a few menus from the days when both our parents had dinner parties in Lancaster with international themes and food. I hope they are all celebrating together in the big beyond.
With sympathy and hugs,
Margaret H. Wagner (from LCDS)
February 23, 2017
Dearest Anne, Natalie and Christina,
Though I am not able to attend today’s services, please know that my heart is with you, and my prayers are supporting each of you and the rest of the family. Your mother was an incredible influence in my life. She was a mentor a model and a champion! She loved each of you girls fiercely as well as the grands whom she was SO proud of! I have always counted it as a priviledge to have spent so much time sharing your family and learning from your Mom. I love you each very much, and perhaps we will still be able to get together for a bit before you must head back north. Much love from one Hungarian family to another!
-“lynn’ and Sandor
February 22, 2017
Gizella and the rest of the Callender Family, it is with extremely saddenss that I write this today. Gizella and I go back over 25 years and we have had many conversations about family and life. I can only give you the comfort of the thought that while I did not meet your mother she must have been an outstanding human to produce and nurture a strong and vibrant daughter. Maddy and I wish you comfort and peace during this time. Having been through this twice, we found that humor can go a long way in the healing process. Celibrate Gigi’s life not her passing!
Tom & Madeline McCormick
February 21, 2017
Dear Christine and Family,
I was shocked to hear the news of your Mom’s passing. She was a wonderful and caring person and I so enjoyed my talks with her while we were walking our babies.
We are away and I am so sorry that I am unable to be at her memorial. Please know that I send you my love and deepest sympathy and I will see you when I return.
Love,
Leslie and Lizzie DePace
February 21, 2017
Dearest Anne, Natalie and Christine, My thoughts and prayers are with you all at the loss of your dear mother. She made such an impact on my life with her grace and kindness and enthusiasm for life and learning. Love to you all, April Reed Faber
February 21, 2017
To Christine, Natalie, and Anne — It was a shock to see your mother’s obituary in the paper. I most recently saw her (sometime in 2016 I believe) at the Cancer Center and it was as if all the years rolled away and we were the same intimates as in the past — laughing, sharing news. I have such memories of you all in your girlhoods — beauties all, and doing such interesting things, just like your mother. I send my fond thoughts of your family and my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Anne Gardner
- Visitation
- Thursday, February 23, 2017
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- St. John's Episcopal Church
- 321 W. Chestnut St.
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Thursday, February 23, 2017
- 11:00 AM
- St. John's Episcopal Church
- 321 W. Chestnut St.
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
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