IRVINGTON—Cecilia Driesell Vail Schwartz of Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, Irvington, left this world on August 2, 2022.
She was the daughter of the late F. Cecil Driesell and Harriet Bridges Driesell. Known to her friends and family as Cecil, she was born in Norfolk on December 20, 1930, educated in Norfolk and graduated from Maury High School in 1949. She later attended Richmond Professional Institute now known as VCU.
After marrying William Watson Vail in 1951, Cecil moved to the oceanfront in Virginia Beach. As a faithful member of Galilee Episcopal Church, she served on their Altar Guild for more than 50 years.
Her family and children were first in her heart along with her love of flowers, gardening and art history. Her other interests were served by many volunteer years with the Virginia Beach Art Association where she helped promote the first Boardwalk Art Show, the Virginia Beach Garden Club, the Junior League of Norfolk and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
Ms. Schwartz was preceded in death by her first husband of 42 years, William Watson Vail, and by her second husband of 24 years, Karl Schwartz III. She is survived by her two sons, Charles Scott Vail and his wife, Kimberly, of Irvington, and William Watson Vail Jr. and his wife, Gayle, of Houston, Texas; and a daughter, Clayton McDaniel Vail and her partner, Patty Neff McCormack, of Richmond. Her wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Jeffrey Thomas Vail and his daughter, Katharine Clayton Vail and her son and daughter, and John Watson Vail, all of Irvington, and William Watson Vail III of Houston. Her two stepsons include Karl Jameson Schwartz of Costa Rica and Robert Crandell Schwartz of Charlottesville.
A memorial service will be held at noon September 23 at Galilee Church, with a reception to follow in Tucker Hall. The burial service shall be private, to be held at Forrest Lawn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Galilee Church or to the charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.
