In Memoriam – June 2022

Each month, Tri Delta publishes In Memoriam, highlighting the lives of some of our Distinguished Deltas and longtime volunteers and sharing a full list of sisters who have recently passed away. Below is the In Memoriam for June 2022.

Gail Heinbach Savoie, Louisiana/Lafayette

A native of Sulphur, Gail earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now UL Lafayette, in 1977. While a student at the university, she was a member of Tri Delta’s Phi Nu Chapter.

She retained an enduring connection with her Tri Delta sisters—her beloved “Delta Roses”—and to Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics throughout her lifetime. Gail taught at St. Ignatius School in Grand Coteau, and at St. Antoine and Woodvale elementary schools in Lafayette. Her vivacious personality and enthusiasm for students made her a favorite teacher among them, their families, and her fellow educators. She listened to students, empowered them to reach their individual potentials and celebrated their accomplishments with an unforgettable smile, an infectious laugh and kind words that encouraged them to succeed further.

In her youth, Gail was a multisport athlete. She entered college at a time before Title IX opened a pathway for women to participate in collegiate sports. Her later support for Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics, particularly the softball program, reflected Gail’s desire to ensure that all student-athletes had opportunities to compete and succeed.

Following her husband’s investiture as president of UL Lafayette in 2008, Gail became the University’s First Lady. In that role, she served as a local, state, and national ambassador for her alma mater. Gail was a fixture at university activities and athletic events, and she cherished the time she spent with members of her Ragin’ Cajuns family.

Lynn Biggs Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Lynn Biggs Jenkins died peacefully at home on June 10, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was 74 years old.

Lynn joined Tri Delta at Vanderbilt University, serving as pledge trainer during her senior year. She graduated in 1969.Her entire professional career was spent at the Merrill Lynch office in Jackson where, as an account executive, she had the distinction of being the first female stock broker in the state of Mississippi.

Her nephew Jack Allin, who serves as Tri Delta Housing’s lead architect at Wier Boerner Allin, shares that Lynn exemplified Tri Delta’s values for the entirety of her life and found much delight in knowing that Tri Delta was one of his clients.

Lynn served as a Trustee for the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi and was an active communicant, lay reader and choir member. She was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Jackson as well as a member of various luncheon clubs.

Betty Foy Sanders, Georgia

Betty Foy Sanders, former First Lady of Georgia, passed away on May 29, 2022. Betty joined Tri Delta’s Alpha Rho Chapter at the University of Georgia. It was there that she met her husband of 67 years, Carl Sanders, who ultimately held the highest office in the State of Georgia as Governor.

Betty’s life experiences served her well in her role as the first lady of Georgia, giving her the ability to relate to people of all stripes. She was just as comfortable entertaining presidents and royalty as she was chewing the fat with farmers like she had grown up with. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Betty was instrumental in the creation of The Georgia Council for the Arts and spearheaded the committee to design, furnish and construct the current Governor’s Mansion.

In later life, she also became a major benefactor to Georgia Southern University. Her pet project was helping the university enhance their School of Art program. Her mission was to give those students a first class environment to hone their skills. Her efforts were recognized and today The School of Art bears her name. Having received this recognition, she doubled down her efforts to create a Betty Foy Sanders Scholarship Fund and Betty Foy Sanders Art Student Travel Fund to enable students to visit significant art venues throughout the state and the Southeast. She also established the Betty Foy Sanders Collection of Art, representing many forms of Georgia art and artists.

If you would like to make a donation to Tri Delta’s Foundation in memory of a sister who has passed away, click here.

In Memoriam

This In Memoriam list includes sisters who were reported as deceased to Executive Office June 1–30, 2022. If you know of a sister who has passed away, please report her information to Executive Office by emailing memberrecords@trideltaeo.org.