Gayl E. Koster (nee Zehner), of Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2023 at age 83.
Gayl was born on May 29, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to father Reverend Henry Zehner and mother Isabel Zehner. Gayl was the eldest of three children.
In 1957, Gayl graduated as salutatorian from Grover Cleveland High School in Queens, NY, where she received multiple academic awards. Gayl attended Barnard College, where she received her B.A. in British Civilization. Gayl then went on to attend Drexel University, where she received an M.S. in Library Science in 1971.
Gayl began her career teaching elementary and middle school in New York and Florida. Following her graduation from Drexel, Gayl began working at the Free Library of Philadelphia, where she was promoted many times, ultimately becoming Chief of the Public Service Division for the entire city. Gayl worked at the Free Library until her retirement in 1995.
Gayl moved to her beloved home on Durham Street in Mt. Airy in 1970, where she raised her two daughters and lived for over 50 years. Gayl was very involved in her community, including volunteering at the Germantown Historical Society and as a docent for the Morris Arboretum.
Gayl was known for her dry wit and intelligence. Gayl always kept up with current events, reading The Philadelphia Inquirer every single day.
Gayl’s life was always surrounded by music. At age six, Gayl began taking piano lessons and eventually learned to play the organ, which led to Gayl playing her first church service at age 14. Gayl went on to become a talented organist and pianist. In her retirement, Gayl was the organist and choir director at several churches, beginning with Glading Memorial Presbyterian Church, then Falls Presbyterian Church and, finally, Summit Presbyterian Church. She also was the accompanist for local soloists and was the pianist in many performances, including renditions of Madame Butterfly and The Wiz. Gayl brought her piano with her when she moved to Sunrise Senior Living in Lafayette Hill in 2021, continuing to bring joy to others with her music.
Gayl is survived by her daughters Jessica Baff (David) and Kristen di Gennaro (Ivano), sister Marta Zehner, brother Mark Zehner (Sandy), and grandchildren Isabella, Ian, and Valentina.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gayl’s memory may be made to Summit Presbyterian Church Music Program (6757 Greene Street, Phila., PA 19119) or Whosoever Gospel Mission (101 E. Chelten Ave, Phila., PA 19144).
A Memorial service will be held Sunday, Mar. 12th at 1pm at Summit Presbyterian Church, 6757 Greene St, Philadelphia, PA 19119.