Gail Pauline Panner, enjoyed coastal living
Gail Pauline Panner (Knapp), 68, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, April 20, 2023, after a brave fight with endometrial cancer.
Gail was born in Akron, Ohio, Sept. 13, 1954, to the late Gerald U. and Elizabeth Cecilia Knapp. She grew up in nearby Tallmadge, eventually working at Nobil Shoe Company, where she met the love of her life, John Robert Panner Jr. Gail and Bob moved to Nichols, N.Y., before finally settling in Wantage, N.J., where they lived for 25 years. Gail worked at the Sussex-Wantage Branch Library for 22 years, beginning as a page before finally retiring in 2019 as a principal library assistant. They retired to their little slice of heaven at Baywood Greens in Long Neck in 2019 and enjoyed being near the beach (and much less snow than Northwest New Jersey).
Gail was an avid reader, a devoted fan of the Cleveland Guardians, an amazing cook and baker (her Christmas cookies are the stuff of legend), a lover of life, and the best wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend anyone has ever had.
In addition to her parents, Gail was preceded in death by her sister Karen Knapp Ritchie; and father-in-law John Robert Panner Sr. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Bob; sons, Patrick Rawson (Stephanie) and Sean Rawson (Kara); daughter, Erin Panner; twin brother, Gerald Peter Knapp (Tammy); and sister, Kimberly Derrenberger (Jeff). She is also survived by her five granddaughters, Mayla, Lilah, Theresa, Adeline and Gail; her mother-in-law, Virginia Panner; sister-in-law, Susan Sasser (Tustin); brother-in-law Richard Panner (Shanna); and many beloved nieces and nephews. She will be missed beyond measure.
A celebration of life will be held with visitation beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 20, at Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, with a short service beginning at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of the Sussex-Wantage Branch Library, friendsofswlibrary.org; or the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, foundationforwomenscancer.org.
Online condolences can be made by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
