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Obituary for Gudrun Elisabet McGahey
Elisabet McGahey, 82, went to her heavenly home on March 19, 2022. She was born in Spanga, Sweden on January 22, 1940, daughter of Algot and Nanny Svall. She is survived by her four sons, Thomas, Michael, Richard and Andrew. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, three greatgrand children, one niece, one great niece and one cousin in Sweden. Elisabet grew up in what she described as a fairy tale. She loved to play in the "troll skogar" or troll Forest. She picked berries, flowers and enjoyed seeing all the beautiful sights nature had to offer. She vividly described to her children lying on the rocks by the Baltic Sea with the ocean spraying on top of her face. Elisabet had one older brother, Olle and one older sister Ann Marie Svall. They were several years older than her but she loved them dearly and always spoke about them. Her father, Algot,built her a playhouse that her and her dachshund, Mitzi, would spend many days enjoying. Often during harsh winters she would ski to school. She was an adventurous and fearless child. Elisabet described her mother as a wonderful fairy tale mother who baked and painted. After school Elisabet continued her adventurous life by working on a ship that was based out of England. During her time off she met her future husband, Sam McGahey, a US Army soldier, while she was backpacking in Germany. They began to date and fell in love. The couple soon got married and had their first born son, Thomas, who was born in Sweden. After Sams enlistment they moved to the United States.
Shortly after being in America,she returned to Sweden with Thomas to get her mother, Nanny, to live with them after the death of Elisabets’ father. The trip took 17 days on a large vessel across the Atlantic Ocean during a hurricane in treacherous waters with waves so violent that she was picked up and thrown to the deck. Upon arrival to the United States they were all greeted by the iconic Statue of Liberty.
The family lived in Abbeville while Sam completed his education at Ole Miss and soon after begin work. Elisabet used her love for art and started her own business, Trolltown Handcrafts. She made linen mats used in picture frames that she painted beautiful pictures on. She frequently traveled the country selling them all the while raising four wild sons. She went on to try her hand at glass mosaics. Many of them she used to decorate their home.
Over the years Sam and Elisabet would open their hearts and home to one foster child, many of their sons friends who had no place to go and several exchange students. One of these children was their youngest sons, Andrew’s best friend who was practically raised in their home. Elisabets love for Gods creatures was incredible. All of the family dogs were treated as family because they were family in her eyes. From stray dogs, inherited dogs from her children and dogs who spent many years up for adoption she loved them with with all of her heart. Nanny loved her family and friends, loved her long history of pets and most importantly loved knowing she would be in heaven at the end of life’s journey with all the loved ones that went before her. Visitation will be held on March 26, 2022 at 10:00 am until the hour of the service at 11:00 am at Pineview Baptist Church , 1288 Clinton Raymond Rd. Clinton, MS. 39056.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made or needs provided to an organization close to her heart: CARA Community Animal Rescue and Adoption, Inc., 960 N. Flag Chapel Rd. Jackson, MS. You may also mail CARA donations to PO Box 231, Clinton, MS. 39060.
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