Gail Patricia (Ostrynski) Smith

Our beloved partner, sister, grandmother and friend, Gail Patricia Smith (Ostrynski), born February 20, 1949, defiantly left this world on Monday February 19, 2024. She was one day short of 75 years old.

Her parents Sylvia (Arsenault) (d. 2019) and Tony Ostrynski (d. 1986) raised her in Tuft’s Cove Dartmouth, N.S. Gail was the second of five daughters who grew to become each others best friends.

After attending Harbourview, John Martin and Dartmouth High School, Gail’s work life began at Woolworth’s Lunch Counter, where in the early 1960’s “A dime was considered a great tip”. Her accounting and bookkeeping skills led to jobs and many friends at Shearwater, Canadian Linen, Imperial and Vogue Optical, The Somme Branch Legion, and Dartmouth Metals, to name just a few.

Dawn Jollimore, Gail’s soulmate and partner in crime, entered her life 20 years ago. Together they embarked on many wonderful adventures, living for a time in Costa Rica and Mexico. They also traveled to many other parts of the world. In the last year of her life, together with cherished family members, they enjoyed a trip to Greece and a Danube River cruise.

Blessed with a joyous and enthusiastic personality, Gail made friends easily and enjoyed life fully. Known by many as ‘the life of the party’, her smiles and laughter were magnetic. You always felt special in Gail’s presence. A few beers, laughter, music, and of course dancing were her idea of a great time, and she had many fun times. Other joys included reading, writing poems, plants, gardening, spending time with her grandson, Nolan, and taking long walks.

Gail was passionate about all animals, children, and especially babies. Through Dawn, she became a second mother to Michael and Katie, and seven years ago, became ‘Baba’ to Katie’s adorable son, Nolan. He was the light of her life.

She is survived by sisters Darlene (Ken Hanson) Sheri (Bob Shaw) and Vienna (Kevin Jollimore) and ‘Fur Babies’ Poco, Baxter and Misty. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends will miss her dearly. Gail has departed to join her parents, Sylvia and Tony, sister Ingrid (d. 1995) and niece Stacey (d. 2015) in whatever comes next.

We are left with our wonderful memories and a spot she carved into our hearts that will be with us forever. She lived, she loved, she laughed, and left the world a better place.