Obituary of gretchen gail cecil

Our beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, Gretchen Gail Cecil (Gretchen Ackerly) of Gulf Breeze, Florida passed away on December 29, 2019, at the age of 57 after a courageous battle against cancer. Gretchen was given the gift of life and she fought hard, very hard, to keep it. Gretchen was born in Montclair, New Jersey to Albert and Barbara Ackerly and lived with her family in several states before moving to Cornwall, New York in 1975. Gretchen graduated from high school in 1981 and earned her BA in Restaurant and Hotel Management from Saint Leo University in 1985. Gretchen married David Cecil in 1995, and they settled in Florida to raise their children. Gretchen was passionate and caring person. She was especially passionate about her family, the beach, boating, fast cars, and helping sick children. Her personality was a true force of nature, she was captivating. Within minutes of meeting Gretchen, she would pull you in and make you her friend. Gretchen was preceded in death by her father, Albert Ackerly. She is survived by her husband, David Cecil; her children, Megan McConchie, Ashley Cecil and Benjamin Cecil; her mother, Barbara (Ackerly) Donnelly; brothers, Jeff Ackerly, Bruce Ackerly, Eric Ackerly and Pete Ackerly; her sister, Barbara Ann Volk and countless friends, colleagues, and members of the AA community.