Gayle Marie Rinaldi

Gayle Marie Rinaldi, 78 years old, was born on February 5th, 1946 to her parents Alfred Finn and Ella Finn. She died peacefully in her sleep, in her own home with her loving doggie companion, Diego by her side on June 27th, 2024. It is believed that she died from a sudden cardiac arrest. Gayle spent the day prior at an ice cream parlor with her grandchildren and socializing with her daughter and doing yard work together. She lived a full life right to the last moment and was gracefully welcomed into Jesus’ arms and entered into life everlasting. 

In honor of Gayle’s request, there will be a small intimate Celebration of Life at graveside with her closest family members present. This will take place on July 12th, 2024 at Woodvale Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her mother, Ella Finn. 

Gayle always worked hard and was dedicated to her jobs and hobbies. She spent the majority of her career as the Fiscal Director at Cleveland Treatment Center. She worked long hours, often going in on weekends. She was sharp and organized. She always looked for opportunities to help those she worked with and advocated for the underdog. In her past-time, Gayle loved to be outside in a garden. Spring and summer were her favorite times of year and she would spend hours weeding, planting and trimming shrubs. Her yard was always beautiful. As she got older and moved into an apartment, she gifted her knowledge and skill to her daughter, Melissa and they shared her daughter’s yard. Together they planted rhododendrons, azaleas, rose bushes, hydrangeas, rose of sharons, lilacs, butterfly bushes, boxwoods, a japanese maple and endless annuals. Gayle cherished her dog, Diego and enjoyed taking him for multiple walks a day. She doted on him and fed him home cooked meals.

She was always working on a jigsaw puzzle at her coffee table and would complete one or more each week. Gayle loved America and was active in politics. She made sure to keep herself, and her family up to date on the latest political ongoings and had recently volunteered for the republican party. Studying God’s Word was important to her and she knew her Bible well. Her heart was for the lost. She spent the last couple months in a Bible Study, The Handwriting Writing on the Wall - Secrets from the Prophecies of Daniel, with her best friends and sisters, Nancy and Bonnie.

Most important to Gayle was her family. She was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Finn and mother, Ella Finn along with her older brother, Terry Finn (Wendy Finn). She has two surviving children, Brian Rinaldi and Melissa Saksa (Jesse Saksa). She adored her grandchildren and was lovingly known as “Nana” to Brian Rinaldi Jr., Colin Saksa, Levi Saksa and Elliana Saksa. Gayle visited her grandchildren weekly, attended all special events and always brought them a special treat. She took a large role in helping to raise them all from the time they were born. She was selfless and had a good heart. Gayle had two life-long best friends and loyal companions that weathered all of life’s storms with her, her sisters, Nancy Birchfield (Jerry Birchfield) and Bonnie Bertchinger (Dale Bertchinger). She loved all of her nieces and nephews and had a picture of each of them and their families on her walls. Children of Terry Finn; Eric Finn and Scott Finn, Children of Nancy Birchfield; Christi Nyame (Yaw Nyame), Jerry Birchfield Jr. (Jessica Birchfield), Wendy Puerto (Gabe Puerto), Child of Bonnie Bertchinger; Michael Bertchinger (Emily Bertchinger).

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23 1:6

Condolences and special memories of Gayle can be shared with her family online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com 

Heriage Cremation & Burial Society (216) 631-4500