Laila C. McVay's Obituary
Laila C. McVay, 88, of Syracuse and Skaneateles, NY, passed away peacefully with her children beside her on December 13, 2015. Mrs. McVay was raised in Natick and Roslindale, MA, and graduated from Simmons College with a B.S. in Chemistry under full scholarship. She worked in chemistry research for several years, first at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, where she contributed to research involving the innovative application of sulfa drugs in patient treatment, then at Bristol Laboratories in Syracuse, using her foreign language skills to translate scientific literature. She left the field to raise her family of five children and was a devoted wife for over 62 years to George F. McVay, MD, who predeceased her in November 2012.
Mrs. McVay was an avid golfer, skier and tennis enthusiast who reveled in competing in tournaments with her grandchildren. She enjoyed travel, sailing on Skaneateles Lake, discussing books, playing piano, sewing beautiful clothes, and was a generous friend with outstanding culinary skills who loved to entertain. Her years spent as a Dale Carnegie leadership training assistant were fulfilling. Yet, her great passion was family, and her grandchildren will always remember their Nana at the center of the chaos and fun at family gatherings.
She cherished her husband, Dr. George F. McVay, and her children and their spouses, Suzanne Novelli (Dr. David), Dr. Laila D. McVay, Michele McVay-Crowley (William), Janine McVay (Robert Pettersen), and George S. McVay (Nancy). She adored her ten grandchildren (Julia Pericak (Dr. Jason), Dr. Stephen Novelli (Jessica) and Sheila (Nicholas) Tober, Bill and Daniel Crowley, Andrew and Lauren Pettersen, Sarah Lardner (Dr. Thomas) and Karen and Neil McVay) and four great-grandchildren (Amelia, Mariella, Oliver and Maeve).
She was predeceased by her dear mother, Olga E. Karam, and beloved aunt, Julia E. Corey, and leaves her loving sister, Susan Theophanis, her cousin and his wife, Dr. Elia and Georgia Zughaib, and many dearly loved nieces and nephews and their families.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 4, at 9:00 a.m. in the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME and 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church, Syracuse. Christian burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.), North Syracuse, on Sunday, January 3, from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).
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