Gaile was born on July 17, 1934 in Queens, New York. As a child she was affectionately known as Mary Gaile. When she was young many of her favorite past times were spent with her grandmother, Gowie. They were very close. Gowie would take Gaile shopping, on train trips and on cruises, a tradition that Gaile carried on with her own children and grandchildren. Gaile’s sister, Valerie, was born when she was 12 years old. Gaile and her sister grew up in Franklin Square, New York with her father Ira and mother Alberta.
Gaile attended Hofstra University where she was very active in her sorority, and met her lifelong friends, Kay, Joanie, and Lois. While there she successfully earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
After college, Gaile married Donald Sharp. Together they had three children: Donald, Laura, and Carole. In 1975, after her divorce, Gaile moved to Florida with her children and married George Kimpel, with whom she was married to for 7 years.
She began teaching with Pinellas County Schools at the Pinellas Vocational Technical Institute where she taught business educational courses, including typing and shorthand. Later in her career she moved into vocational job placements where she assisted hundreds of students in finding jobs to begin their careers.
While raising her children, she was very involved with the local church and even spent a couple of years running the youth group. Her sister, Valerie and her family joined Gaile in Florida in the late 80’s. In fact, Valerie moved right next door to Gaile on 86th Avenue North in Seminole. Soon after, Gaile’s father moved to Florida to be closer to his daughters. Gaile and her father had a very special everlasting bond.
Throughout Gaile’s life, she was an avid tennis player and even tested her skills at local tournaments. She lived an active and healthy lifestyle as she loved to ride her 10 speed bike, rollerblade and eat healthy. Gaile loved to paint in watercolor, play card games, play the piano, take cruises, and travel the world. She even spent a few months learning Spanish as she was a woman who was always looking to improve herself and learn more. She was very silly and enjoyed making funny faces and telling corny jokes.
One of her strongest passions was dancing. She coached a dance team in college, and taught line dancing at several local country bars. Later in life she became a devoted ballroom dancer where she would compete, perform in shows, and would even get lifted in the air and spun around as she was very petite and flexible. The dancing lifestyle was for her, she loved to get dolled up and wear flashy costumes.
She loved her family very much and was supportive of anything they needed or wanted. Gaile had 11 grandchildren. Steven, Jaime, and Cory through her daughter Laura (Steve); Alex, Dylan, and Derik through her son Don (Lori); and Daniella, Hunter, DJ, Chloe, and Jaydenn through her daughter, Carole (Vito). Gaile also had a great grandson, Lucas, as well as a second great grandson named Jackson, who is due to be born this October.
In Gaile’s most recent years she found her true love Wendell. They would write sweet notes to each other, go dancing, and just enjoy each other’s company. Gaile will be forever remembered as having many friends, a beautiful smile, deep blue eyes, always looking her best, and never missing a beat.
It gives Gaile’s family great comfort in knowing that she is now at peace and is with her grandmother, her parents, her sister, her son-in-law and Wendell. May God bless Gaile’s soul. We know she is dancing happily in Heaven.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at 11 am at Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774, Ph# 727-562-2080.
Condolences may be offered at www.serenityfuneralhomelargo.com.