Gale Vogelien

Patricia Gale Vogelien, of Harrington, went home to be with her Lord, on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at the age of 76.  She was born April 3, 1947 in Upland, PA, to the late Mary Grace Brown.

Gale graduated from Harrington High School, class of 1965 and then continued her education at the University of Delaware, graduating with a degree in education.  She then started her teaching career at Appoquinimink School District before she transitioned to the Lake Forest School District, where she taught elementary students.  After many years of teaching, Gale earned her Masters of Reading and State Certification as a reading specialist from Wilmington University.  She enjoyed teaching and valued her friendships with her colleagues.  After teaching for over 33 years, Gale retired from teaching in 2008.

Two driving forces in Gale's life were her family and her faith in God.  She loved her family immensely and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She lived to spoil her grandkids.  She loved God, her family, and her church, Calvary Wesleyan Church.  Family ties were very important to her and she kept in touch with her extended family in North Carolina.  Gale was the past president of Harrington High School Alumni Association.  Whether it was her bible study group, lunch group, or exercise group, she enjoyed socializing with her friends and making everyone laugh with her sense of humor.

Gale will be remembered for her Christ centered, serving heart.  She was never afraid to tell the truth and spoke her mind.  Her loving, caring, and kind heart will be forever missed by the lives that she touched.

In addition to her mother, Gale is preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Howard E. "Bean" Vogelien.

Gale is survived by her daughters, Kate Schiff (T.J.) and Erin Giandonato (Nick); was Mom-Mom to grandchildren, Caroline, Adam, and Meredith Schiff, Jack and Grace Giandonato; sister-in-law, Fran Vogelien; and nephews Matthew (Tara) and Nathan Vogelien.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 at Calvary Wesleyan Church, 240 Delaware Ave, Harrington at 1 PM.  A visitation will take place two hours prior starting at 11 AM.  Internment will follow at the Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington DE.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gale's memory may be sent to Calvary Wesleyan Church, 240 Delaware Ave., Harrington, DE 19952.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, please visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to express or send condolences.