June
11, 1954 - Feb. 24, 2010GRANGER - Gail L. Walton, 55, of Granger, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday in the Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis. She was born on June 11, 1954, in DeKalb, IL, and had lived in the area since 1981, coming from Naperville, IL. On August 21, 1976, she married Craig Cramer, who survives. Along with her loving husband, she is survived by her sons, Drew (Maura) of Alexandria, VA, and Severin of Indianapolis, IN; her parents, Richard and Alice Walton of Normal, IL; a sister, Leigh (Michael) Fulford of Normal; and a brother, Dwight (Sharon) Walton of Florence, MT. Gail graduated from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, with a degree in organ performance. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance at the Eastman School of Music, where she was also awarded the prestigious Performer's Certificate in Organ. In 1988 Gail was appointed Director of Music and Organist at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. She founded the Basilica Schola in 1989. Gail oversaw a large and diverse musical program at the Basilica, and the program more than tripled in size under her inspired leadership. During the eight years that the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass was televised to a national audience on the Hallmark Channel, Gail became a recognized friend by many of the 1,700,000 viewers who tuned into the Basilica every week. In addition to her Basilica duties, Gail also assisted with music at numerous University liturgical events, worked with countless couples in preparing their marriages, assisted grieving families with funerals of loved ones, and provided music for numerous Holy Cross occasions, such as final professions of vows, ordinations, jubilees, and burials of priests and brothers. Gail had a brilliant mind; she was a consummate musician, her performances and organ playing were profound, she was articulate and gracious; and her enthusiasm, dedication, professionalism, selfless energy and humility enriched beyond measure the liturgical life of the Basilica and beyond. Gail had the ability to inspire others, and she will be sorely missed by current and former students, by her colleagues, and by her family. She was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, mentor and friend. Even during her heroic battle with leukemia, she never lost hope, she always was more concerned about her family than herself, and her deep and abiding faith and indomitable spirit carried her through many difficult moments. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 1, 2010, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gail Walton Memorial Fund, c/o Carol Hennion, Office of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.