Gaye Lynn Roland

Gaye Lynn Roland (Nanny G), of Gearhart, died suddenly on Feb. 16. She is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Libby Roland.

Gaye leaves behind a family she loved and cherished. In Conway, Arkansas, she leaves behind a sister and brother-in-law, Marsha and Bill Hopkins, and a sister and nephew, Cathy Irelan and Michael Roland. In Gearhart, she leaves behind a daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Melissa, Jason and Tyler Bangild.

Growing up in Alexandria, Virginia, Gaye was described by her family as a very lively child. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1970. She was a member of the Future Secretaries Club, drill team and Job’s Daughters.

Gaye got a job as a civilian clerical worker with the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, right out of high school. She continued to work there until late 1972. In 1974, while living in New Jersey with her former husband, Bob McDowell, Gaye gave birth to Melissa, her only child.

She used her skills as a secretary working several jobs. She could type 90 words per minute.

In 1991, Gaye started her final career as an FBI support employee. She worked out of the Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, office.

In 1993, Gaye moved with her family to New Orleans and remained employed with the FBI there. This time, however, she was promoted to the position of squad secretary, a very important position within the FBI.

In the year 2000, Gaye transferred with the FBI to the island of Saipan and lived there until 2004, when she transferred to the Houston, Texas, FBI office. After 19 years with the FBI, she retired in 2010.

In 2011, Gaye moved to Gearhart to be close to her daughter and son-in-law and spend time with her grandson, Tyler.

Gaye loved to entertain and to be entertained. Nothing made her happier than being with her loved ones. She enjoyed music, movies, TV shows, comedians and good food.

She was a voracious reader, wrote poetry and liked to sketch and sew. She even made her own wedding dress. She was generous to a fault, and never wanted anyone to “sweat the small stuff.” She had a heart of gold.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Caldwell’s Funeral & Cremation Arrangement Center, 113 N. Holladay Drive in Seaside.