Druselle O. Gast

Druselle O. Gast, 84, of Bethlehem, passed away Monday, October 16, 2006 at her home at Kirkland Village. She was the wife of the late Dr. Joseph Henry Gast, who died in 1977. Born in Hull, Texas, she was the daughter of Adelia O?Donnell and William O?Donnell. After graduating from high school, she attended two years of nursing school during World War II before going to work as a medical secretary at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Houston, Texas. She later worked as a secretary for the Fluor Corporation, one of the world?s largest, publicly owned engineering, and construction service companies based in California. While living in Long Beach, California, she led a Girl Scout troop for several years. She enjoyed sewing, painting and calligraphy throughout her life. She moved to the Lehigh Valley from Newton, Massachusetts when one of her daughters, Alice P. Gast, became the 13th president of Lehigh University.

Survivors: She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Alice P. Gast and husband Bradley Askins, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Sandra Melo and husband Richard, of Gresham, Oregon, and Marilyn Lowrie and husband Leslie of Houston, Texas; two stepdaughters, Margaret Eibler and late husband Herbert, of Lakeland, Michigan, and Janet Hogan and husband Philip of Ely, Minnesota; and by 14 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Services: A memorial service is to be held at St. Mary?s Episcopal Church in Newton, Massachusetts, on Sunday October 29 at 2 p.m. A memorial service will also be held for her on Friday, Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. at Kirkland Village, 1 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Local Arrangements Connell Funeral Home, Inc.

Contributions: Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Fund for Animals.