Mary Gayle Faughnan

ALBANY-Mary Gayle (Johnson) Faughnan passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026 at her residence.

Gayle was born on August 11, 1937 to the late Russell H. and Marion (McHale) Johnson in Albany, NY. After Gayle graduated from The Academy of the Holy Names in 1955, she attended Saint Rose before going to work for the New York Telephone Company. Gayle stayed home with her children until 1974 when she went to work for Boyd Printing, where she continued, and made very good friends, until her retirement in 2002.

In 1957, Gayle began dating James P. Faughnan, Jr. and they married January 25, 1958. Gayle and Jim went on to have 4 children: James, R. Thomas, Michael, and Suzanne.

Family was the very most important part of Gayle’s life. She treasured summers on Warner’s Lake with her family and later welcomed all of the future generations to share special times there. The Lake is where she became an avid swimmer and diver and famously was ‘scouted’ by olympic coaches! Her closest friends were her sisters and she often said that her favorite time in life was raising her children. Gayle felt strongly about women’s rights and never hesitated to speak up even when it was not yet widely accepted to do so. She had a very reserved demeanor and a quiet wit that became more pronounced as she grew older. She spent her whole life in Albany County until moving in with family in 2019 and then chose to move to Woodlawn Commons Assisted Living in 2022 which soon became ‘home’ to her.

Gayle was a quiet and unassuming woman who was always observing and listening. Hers was the house that her kids' friends could ‘hang out’ at and talk openly without fear of judgement. Long talks at the kitchen table - both casual jabber about the day's events or serious connection about life’s emotional dilemmas- were the norm in her house. Gayle loved deeply and was always there for those who needed her. As her granddaughter, Kate, once noted, ‘Gram has been aging so gracefully’ - never complaining and always grateful despite the many challenges and losses that came her way.

Gayle was predeceased by her husband of 46 years James P. Faughnan, Jr., her sister Carol Murphy and her grandson R. Thomas Faughnan, Jr. She is survived by her children: James P. (Mary) Faughnan III, R. Thomas (Katherine) Faughnan, Sr., Michael A. (Lisa) Faughnan, Suzanne E. (Stephen) Tomb; her sister Linda (Donald) Perry, and her grandchildren Andrew (Maura) Faughnan, Rebecca (Garret) Sacco, Erin (Timothy) Smith, Kate Faughnan, Liam Faughnan, Seamus Tomb, Brendan Tomb, Casey Tomb and great grandchildren, Adelyn and Connor Smith, Luke and Charlotte Faughnan and Wesley Sacco. Gayle shared a special bond with Eileen Faughnan. Gayle was also survived by several close nieces and nephews, who she never hesitated to love and support.

Gayle had two special friendships in the last years of her life- her reconnection with her high school sweetheart, Don Yezzi, with whom she shared several months before his passing in 2022 and a recent companionship with Neil Bliss, who kept her company sharing meals, listening to audible books and sitting by the fire in the Woodlawn living room even as her health deteriorated.

The family would like to express immense gratitude to Woodlawn Commons director, Heather Roselan and all the staff at Woodland- they made her feel special, valued and loved. They cared for her like family and were a blessing for all. Community Care Hospice staff were a gift at the end of her life and provided Gayle and her family loving care and support.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Gayle’s family on Wednesday February 18th from 10 am-11:45 am at Daniel Keenan Funeral Home on 490 Delaware Avenue, followed by a service at 12 pm. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens in Colonie. In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may send memorial contributions in Gayle's memory to Woodlawn Commons, Sunshine Fund, 156 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Assisted Living Foundation or Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online condolences may be offered at danielkeenanfuneralhome.com