Fern Elizabeth Gaffaney

Fern Elizabeth Hlavka Lane Gaffaney was born on July 28, 1948 to Mabel Ruth Bonniwell Hlavka and Donald Hlavka.Liz was the first of their four wonderful children.Some of Liz’s passions were her love for God, her family, and the ministries she was involved in.Liz became a Christian at a young age. She grew and matured in her faith through worship, Bible study and through the support of the body of Christ.Her love for Jesus manifested in several different ways.She loved worshipping God through singing and playing the organso He used her as a music minister/organist in many different churches.Liz and Buzz (first husband) were involved in Kairos, an international prison ministry, for many years.AfterBuzzdied, Jo Chapman, founder of Kairos Outside, a sister organization of Kairos, asked Liz to start Kairos Outside in Texas. Kairos Outside is an organization that supports women who have a loved one incarcerated. Liz prayed, learned about the program, raised funds and trained lots of people and then successfully started the first chapter in North Texas.As people learned about KO, more people asked her to start units in their areas. She helped establish 5 other units throughout the state.Liz loved her family and especially adored her grandchildren.They brought constant delight to her! Whether it was teaching them how to sew, baking cupcakes, taking them swimming or just brushing their hair, they always brought joy to Liz! Liz worked for the Social Security Administration for 30 years.She enjoyed helping people.I didn’t matter if it was helping a client, or teaching a coworker how to adjudicate claims, Liz enjoyed her job.In Liz’s spare time she enjoyed quilting and gardening. Liz is survived by her husband Thomas Andrew Gaffaney from Forney, TX, her daughter Katherine “Katie” Robertson and her husband Daniel Robertson, two granddaughters, Allison Claire Robertson and Evelyn Morgan Robertson, all from Leesburg VA, her mother Mabel Hlavka from Silver Lake, MN, her sistersJacquelyn Hlavka Paul and her husband DuWayne from Alexandria, MN, Barbara Hlavka Wawrzyniak and husband Harlan from Silver Lake, MN, brother James Hlavka and wife Candace from Lester Prairie, MN, and seven nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her first husband Douglas “Buzz” Lane, her son Daniel S. Lane, and her father Donald Hlavka. Memorials can be made to Kairos Outside of North Texas. I want to share two experiences that helped define Liz for me.We got married in September of 2000.In November of 2000 my mom had a massive stroke and was in Medical City Hospital for 8 weeks. As we considered what to do for Christmas with my Mom in the hospital this is what Liz said we would do.Liz decided that we would make a full Christmas meal.Liz said we would bring up our china, good silverware, and crystal as well as table decorations, linens and gifts so that it would be a memorable experience for Mary. I was overwhelmed by this as was my Mom. This was one of many kind gestures that reflect who Liz was. In 2005 Liz had a procedure to remove polyp from her colon.The inadvertently nicked the colon causing a hole.The contents of the bowels leaked and Liz became deathly ill with sepsis. The doctors worked feverishly to determine the problem and a solution.I was a nervous wreck as I waited almost 24 hours before a plan was made.Liz had surgery and spent 10 days in the hospital recovering from the infection and surgery.Liz recounted that God gave her a song.Whenever she awoke, for days she heard the song playing “Under the blood.”She would sing along and then fall back asleep.She knew she was safe in the arms of Jesus and that HE was protecting her.What a confident walk!!