Jeannette Sadie Gavlak

Jeannette Sadie Gavlak (née Henderson) May 7, 1950 – September 17, 2024 Jeannette Sadie Gavlak was born on May 7th, 1950, to a World War II Army fuel truck driver and his British war bride. Though she started life as “Janet,” a French priest gallicized her name during her baptism to “Jeannette.” She fully embraced the change, and in middle school, used it as the perfect excuse to declare that Janet just wasn’t her style anymore. Armed with her baptism records, she confidently told her religious mother, “In the eyes of God, I’m Jeannette”—and that was that. This early act of self-determination was just the beginning of a lifelong streak of independence that would define her entire life. She wasn’t one to ask for permission, follow silly rules that didn’t suit her, and she had no problem standing up for what she believed in. A prime example of this was in her elementary school days when she proudly refused to change her spelling of “colour” to the American version, earning herself her only F rather than compromising her British roots. Jeannette was a trailblazer, playing on the first girls’ basketball team at Brunswick High School. One afternoon, when the boys' wrestling team tried to take over the gym, she confidently told them to leave, including a certain charming wrestler named Ken Gavlak. She couldn’t stop thinking about his good looks and fit physique, —and soon, a romance worthy of a John Hughes movie began to unfold. This was the start of a journey that would lead to 55 beautiful years of marriage.

By the age of 22, Jeannette had two children and enjoyed a peaceful suburban life until Ken's restless spirit sought a change. Dreaming of a larger family on a farm, they moved to an 1838 farmhouse on 80 acres in Harrisville Township, embarking on a hard-working adventure. With no plumbing and a Civil War-era kitchen, Jeannette met the challenge head-on, learning to grow a vegetable garden, raise chickens, and master canning and pickling. As Ken worked to add plumbing and update the kitchen, they welcomed two more children into their growing family. Through it all, Jeannette instilled a strong work ethic in her children, who eventually took over many of the daily tasks. Evenings were often spent churning butter while watching Fantasy Island. Yet, despite the busyness of farm life, Ken and Jeannette always found time for romance, sometimes sending the kids out to hunt for arrowheads so they could steal a few quiet moments together.

Jeannette was the backbone of the family and master of family traditions. She orchestrated elaborate holiday scavenger hunts, hiding clues across the farm that made everyone work together. Her famous Haluski recipe, with bacon and cheddar, became a staple each winter's first snowfall, blending old-world tradition with a hearty Ohio twist. Summers were filled with joy as she welcomed her sister, brother, nieces, and nephews from New Hampshire for week-long stays, filling the farmhouse with laughter, love, and lasting memories.

 Sports were serious business in her house, and she was her children's biggest supporter. Carb-loading was mandatory the night before games, and she held informal breakfast buffets in her kitchen for entire teams, ensuring everyone was fueled and ready to win. Despite the work of raising four children and running a homestead, Jeannette kept her sense of fun. She introduced her kids to rock concerts, often winning them free tickets by mastering radio call-ins. She took her older kids to their first concert at ten and twelve to see Journey, making it a night to remember; other legendary bands like Genesis would follow.

Education was a priority for Jeannette, and she worked as a school bus driver to contribute to her children's college fund. Realizing she could better support her family with a CDL trucking license and Teamsters union membership, she became the only female asphalt truck driver in Northern Ohio—a fact her coworkers never let her forget. But Jeannette was the epitome of resilience. She never backed down, standing up for herself and matching their salty language with her own, even more creative, unbroken stream of obscenities. In the end, she outlasted all the drivers who once doubted that a woman could do the job. In her later years, Jeannette never slowed down. She and Ken traveled across the U.S. and Alaska, checking off restaurants featured on the Food Network, fishing in Coshocton, and cruising the Caribbean. She cherished every moment with her grandchildren, whether joining them on adventures or outdoing them in games—even if it meant being sling-shotted while tubing at full speed behind a boat. Her boundless love for life and those around her shone through, whether sipping dirty martinis with her Class of ’68 friends or trying her luck at the casinos. Despite always claiming to have a busy schedule, she never missed an opportunity to watch her five grandchildren and celebrate their milestones.

Jeannette always stayed true to herself, embracing every chapter of her life and keeping mementos from each one. Her love extended beyond her family and friends to her community and the world. She deeply cared for both and advocated for causes she believed in, writing to senators and marching for change. She was not one to cling to rigid ideas; instead, she allowed her beliefs to evolve with the times. Jeannette was known for so many things—her humor, toughness, and creativity were unforgettable. She was a fierce competitor but always supportive, cheering on her children and grandchildren as much as she challenged them. Her intelligence and strength made her a guiding force, while her silly, playful side brought joy to everyone around her. Above all, she was deeply loving, always ensuring her family and friends knew how much they meant to her.

Jeannette passed away on September 17th, surrounded by family. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Kenneth Gavlak; her daughters, Cindy (Maciej) Zawadzki and Tracy Gavlak; her sons, Matthew (Melissa) Gavlak and Craig (Emily Fordenwalt) Gavlak; her beloved grandchildren, Sophie, Konrad, and Anna Zawadzki, and Stella and Henry Gavlak. She’s also survived by her sister, Maureen Sweeney, while her brother, Colin Henderson, and her parents, Edna (nee Clarkson) and Armstrong Henderson, predeceased her.

A celebration of life to honor Jeannette is being planned for the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Feeding Medina County or Meals on Wheels Medina County.