I just saw this after a google search. I saw her at Reading Airshow in mid 70's. In mid 80's I was stationed at Homestead and rode my motorcycle out to Tamiami to get the lay of the land for an upcoming airshow. I walked into one of the FOB's to ask about it and there was a bunch of kids hanging out in one end of the room, sitting on the floor just goofing off. I walked up to the short little lady behind the counter and saw "Mary Gaffney" on her name tag. I asked her "Are you THE Mary Gaffney?, I saw you fly at Reading back in the 70's" She got a big grin on her face, turned to the group of kids and exclaimed "See, I told you I used to be somebody!" She was delightful...RIP...



On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 6:19:22 PM UTC-6, wrote:
Some of you out there might remember a wonderful lady named Mary Gaffney, she was an aviation pioneer and a gliderport owner and examiner for many types. Mary passed away today after a long and wonderful life involving many forms of aviation. Mary was a two time world aerobatics champion and set speed records for flight. She worked with the likes of Pancho Barnes in doing the early aviation movie stunts and also worked as an aviation ferry pilot during WWII.
Mary owned the Kendall Gliderport until it was reclaimed by the National Park Service. Mary continued to give check rides into her 90's and stayed active in aviation until just a few years ago.
Mary gave me my glider check ride at the old Kendall Gliderport, where she worked with the likes of Bill Harris, one of the early instructors and Delta Captain. Bill's obituary was listed his flight hours at over 60 thousand. When Bill wasn't flying for Delta he was living his dream flying gliders at Mary's gliderport. Mary, thanks for all you did for aviation and especially the glider community of South Florida.