Winifred "Shawnee" Gauchat, age 93 of Clarksville, TN, died on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at Gateway Medical Center. She was born on April 23, 1919 in Clarksville, Tennessee to the late Will Davis Elliott and Amelia Drane Elliott. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Louis Rossell Gauchat.
Private graveside will be held at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home.
Winifred was a business woman and member of Madison Street United Methodist Church.
Shawnee graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1939, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa honorary academic society and Tri-Delta social sorority of which she was president in 1938-39. She was an Austin Peay State University Trustee 1984-93 and again in 1995. She was an accomplished pilot being the first Clarksville woman to solo an airplane in January of 1940 and being a member of the "Ninety-niners", an early women's pilot organization. She was a true world traveler having visited all seven continents and gave presentations of her journeys.
She was able to remain in her home until the past week due to the extraordinary love and concern of exceptional care-givers. Her family is truly appreciative of their loyal service.
She is survived by her son, Bill (Jane) Gauchat of Clarksville, TN; four grandchildren, Will Emerson (Misty) Gauchat, Emily R. Garstin, Dr. Carrie C. Gauchat, and Bradley B. Gauchat; and five great-grandchildren, Paige Black, Aubree Gauchat, Nathan Gauchat, Hunter Garstin, and Hailey White.
Family and friends will serve as Pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com. 931-645-6488.