Gaynl Clair Trotter (Stouffer) was born on August 14, 1935, in Modesto, California, to Weslie and Mavis Stouffer (Proudfit) and passed peacefully in her sleep on October 29, 2024, in
Claremont, California.
Gaynl grew up in Ripon, CA and attended the University of California, Davis, Cornell University and Yale Divinity School. In 1958, she embarked on a two-year missionary assignment with the Congregational Church, at Kobe College in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo, Japan.
In the late 1960s, Gaynl moved to Los Angeles to work with All Nations United Methodist Church in the Aliso-Pico housing project. Later, she became the Director of Children’s Ministries for the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. While working for the Conference, Gaynl met Rev. J. Irwin Trotter. They married on
August 5, 1972, and welcomed their only child, Sheena, in 1975. Gaynl and Irwin had a devoted partnership centered in their faith, commitment to social justice and family. Gaynl was a devoted grandmother to Katherine and Lauren, frequently traveling to Calgary to attend their performances and milestone events.
In 2000, Gaynl and Irwin returned to Ripon to be closer to her mother, Mavis. There, she continued her volunteer work; re-energizing her home church, serving as a museum docent,
joining the garden club, and advocating passionately for community improvements, raising $1 million to expand Mavis Stouffer Park.
Gaynl is survived by her daughter, Sheena Trotter-Dennis and her husband, Pete Dennis; granddaughters, Katherine and Lauren Dennis; her brother, Mervyn Stouffer and his wife, Joan Rogers; many beloved nieces and nephews and countless other friends and family.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Claremont United Methodist Church. A livestream will be available at youtube.com/Claremont
UMC.
A reception and gathering will be held Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Stouffer Hall in Ripon (1000 Stouffer Street, Ripon, Ca).
In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Claremont School of Theology (cst.edu) or any peace with justice organization.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, December 6, 2024
