Marcia Gayle Woodward

Marcia Gayle Woodward, age 85, of Sun City Center, FL, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Sarasota Point Rehabilitation Center in Sarasota, FL. She was born on July 2, 1940, in Waukegan, IL, a daughter of the late Margaret Laurene and Alexander Anthony Zaresky. Her biological father was Hubert Lowell King. Gayle had lived in Florida since July of 2021 and enjoyed the sun and serving the Lord by sharing her testimony and relationship with the Lord to others. She was a born again Christian and willing to pray with anyone at any time. In California, she and her late husband, Douglas Richard Woodward, worked for San Juan Unified School District in Sacramento, CA for many years and served in her church as ministers of counseling, teachers, and music. Gayle could make any piano sound like it had been playing in a revival tent meeting or as accompaniment of angels. She was an expert storyteller and loved her family dearly. Gayle was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Douglas Richard Woodward, her parents, Alexander and Margaret Zaresky, her brother-in-law, Cary Woodward and daughter, Sharon Woodward, and in-laws, Earl Robert Woodward Sr. and Margaret Woodward and their other two children, Earl Jr. and Barbara Woodward. Gayle is survived by her sister Tanya and Albert Sherwood and their loving family; her children, Daniel Wayne Woodward, Alex Richard Woodward, Margaret Maurene Woodward-Adams and her husband Thomas A. Adams and seven grandchildren, Calith, Aaron, Ethan, and John Sprock; Ellie and Easton Woodward; and David Jacobson. She is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren; Jefferson, Jackson, Joshua Stringfellow; Samuel and Joy Sprock; Emily and Benjamin Sprock. She leaves behind her church family at Riverstone Church in Gibsonton, FL, her Bible Study friends at The Crossing Church, South Shore Campus, in Ruskin, FL, her neighbors in Sun City Center and at Desoto Beach Club Sky Active Living in Sarasota, FL, and her extended Mary Kay family. A “Celebration of Life” will be held at Riverstone Church; 12011 E Bay Rd, Gibsonton, FL 33534 on April 18 at 10:00 AM. Light refreshments will be provided. Please bring your memories and open hearts to hear how Gayle blessed your life. A celebration of life will also be held in Sacramento, CA for her friends and family in June 2026. A “Go Fund Me” account has been set up to help with travel and funeral expenses. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated to bring Gayle and Doug back to California.: https://gofund.me/16cd7f594 Please share your joys, memories, and photos of Gayle Woodward on this site. Her family expresses their gratitude and love.

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Marcia Gayle Woodward

July 2, 1940 - March 12, 2026