Gail Weaver Norwood

Gail Norwood Kinder, age 73, died at home in Chapel Hill, NC, on July 11, 2023. Born on September 28, 1949, in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Evelyn Weaver. Gail’s family lived in Wooster, Ohio, for several years before relocating to Williamsburg, Virginia, a town that Gail loved dearly. Gail was a graduate of James Blair High School and Emory and Henry College. After college, Gail moved to Dallas, Texas, to train to become an American Airlines flight attendant. There she met Mike Norwood, her husband of 41 years. Her expected stay of six weeks in Dallas turned into over twenty years. Gail and Mike had two daughters - Mary-Evelyn and Amy. 

Despite being employed full-time, Gail devoted herself to motherhood and volunteerism, particularly at St. Rita Church. In 1992 the family relocated to Chapel Hill, NC, where Gail had dreamed of moving. After an early retirement from the airline, Gail committed herself to being involved in the community. She was active in the Chapel Hill Garden Club, eventually becoming President and co-coordinating multiple garden tours. She also was involved in the University Women’s Club and Chapel Hill Preservation Society. As a member of University Presbyterian Church, Gail was active in circles and service and was integral to the development of the Memorial Garden, where her ashes will be scattered. In 2022, Gail married Steve Kinder, who loved her dearly.

Gail’s pride and joy was her backyard garden that she named “Belvedere”. The centerpiece of the garden is a gazebo that is an exact replica of a gazebo in Williamsburg that was dear to her. Her garden was featured on garden tours and in magazines and was the location of many meetings, parties, leisurely walks and her wedding to Steve.

Gail loved early spring blooms, tomatoes in the summer, windows open in the fall, and her fireplace in the winter. She loved games and game shows, puzzles and bubbles. She loved playing the piano and focused on Christmas carols. She hated being cold; she also hated being hot. She loved central heating and air conditioning. She loved serving root beer floats and banana splits for the grandkids. She loved eating on her back porch. She was a Francophile and proud of her French heritage. She loved the mountains, not the beach. She loved her friends, her family, her daughters and grandkids and her beloved Steve.

Gail is survived by her husband Stephen Kinder, daughters Mary-Evelyn Starnes (Andy) and Amy Roush (Don), grandchildren Ella Kathryn and Woody Starnes and Sam and Isaac Roush, sister Janine Weaver and brother John Weaver (Carver), and eleven nieces and nephews. Gail was preceded in death by her parents and husband Michael Norwood.

A Celebration of Life will be held at University Presbyterian Church on Monday, July 17 at 2 pm. In honor of Gail, we hope to fill the sanctuary with flowers. If you would like to send flowers they should be delivered on Friday (the 14th) or Monday morning to:

Gail Norwood Kinder

c/o University Presbyterian Church

209 E Franklin St

Chapel Hill, NC 27514