Gail Carol Mraz

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Mraz, Gail Carol Gail was born on December 23rd, 1935 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She passed away peacefully in her home in the early morning of August 16th, 2007, surrounded by her children. She is preceded in death by her parents, Beatrice and Howard White; brothers, Bruce and Craig White; and husbands, William Mraz (father to their nine children) and William Goddard. She is survived by her children, Melissa Arellano, Gina Mraz, Greta Mraz, Jill Mraz, Paul Mraz, Jessica Mraz, Nicholas Mraz, Jacob Mraz and Natasha (Dolly) Reese-Mraz; and grandchildren, Naomi Mraz and Chloe Arellano. She believed that everyone deserved quality healthcare and devoted her life to this as a nurse for the elderly at Mount Olivet Nursing Home in Minneapolis, providing free healthcare to migrant farm workers in rural areas surrounding Olivia, MN, working with the homeless at the Dorothy Day Center in St Paul, MN and through her volunteer work with orphans and expectant mothers in the U.S., Guatemala and Jamaica. Gail was a pioneer in the homebirth community in Minnesota, cofounder of La Leche League of Minnesota in 1963, cofounder of Genesis, a midwifery group in the Twin Cities in 1975, on the board of directors of the Minnesota Midwives Guild and co- author of the Standards of Care and Certification Guide which was presented to Congress as part of a credentialing effort for traditional midwives in Minnesota. During her career as a midwife, she delivered over 250 children for women who desired to give birth at home. The last baby she delivered at home was her granddaughter Chloe Sofia Arellano. She enjoyed being an active member of St John's Episcopal Church, participating in Habitat for Humanity and Veteran's for Peace, and was involved in local politics and human rights issues. Gail was known for her soft-spoken strength and the gentle humility with which she lived her life, and admired for her original solutions when faced with adversity. Her achievements through peaceful actions and patient understanding have left a legacy of selfless compassion, helping us to better care for one another. A memorial service will be held on August 25th, 2007 at 11 AM at St. John's Episcopal Church at 4201 Sheridan Ave. S., Mpls. Memorials preferred to: St. John's Episcopal Church at 4201 Sheridan Ave. S, Mpls, MN 55410 or Healthcare For The Homeless C/O Fred Woods, 183 Old 6th St., St. Paul, MN 55102.

Published on August 17, 2007