Gail K. Soule

September 1, 1944-January 5, 2011

On September 1, 1944, a daughter was born in Westbrook, Maine, to Lawrence C. and Rachel Bettez Knight. Named Gail Rachel Knight, this daughter would be her mother’s blue eyed kitty a fitting term of endearment. She was loved and held close to many hearts.

Gail grew up in a big, lively family of ten consisting of her parents, four sisters, and three brothers. They lived across the street from the bustle of the SD Warren paper mill, and near Frenchtown, where still more of her close-knit family lived. She could walk down the street to Joe Fluett’s store to buy penny candy. She won marbles from the neighborhood boys. The volume of child hood lore from that house on the corner of Cumberland and Brown is immense, and filled with tales of mischief, adventure, and laughter.

In her childhood, she attended St. Mary’s School in Westbrook, and graduated from Westbrook High school in 1963. During high school, she fell under the spell of one Paul Soule at a dance at the Westbrook Armory. They had one date when Paul was a senior and she was a sophomore. They did not meet again until seven years later.

In the meantime, Gail attended Westbrook Junior College and graduated in 1965. She worked at the armed forces recruiting office in Portland, then later moved to the big city, Boston. She was employed by IBM where her conscientiousness and alacrity were highly valued. It is during this time that, one evening, she walked into Smokey Joe’s restaurant, and spotted Paul Soule again. Three years later, on August 1st, 1970, the couple was married, and a new phase of Gail’s life began.

Marriage brought traditions: breakfasts out on Sunday mornings, treasure hunts at flea markets and trips home to Maine on weekends. Marriage also brought children: Sarah Rachel, born in 1973, and John Knight, in 1975. Gail created a home that was warm, secure, and happy. Her family ate breakfast together every morning, and dinner every night. Her greatest happiness’s were derived from the happiness’s of others. She was tireless in her caring, and she was always there. As her children grew, she was so proud of them; through report cards, school performances, and sporting events, she didn’t acknowledge that so much of what was accomplished was because of her.

In 1989, Gail and her family moved back home to Maine. At her new house in Cumberland, Gail and Paul set about creating a home. They loved to host family celebrations, and to be surrounded by those they loved. The big Fourth of July party took place every year, with upwards of eighty friends and family attending. Every year the Christmas season was kicked off with their tree trimming party, which Gail loved. She never forgot the magic of Christmas, even as an adult. She made the season beautiful and magical for everyone she cared about. In the summer, perennial gardens were a specialty of hers. The color and beauty of spring and summer flowers were gifts from Gail year after year. The plants she divided and shared with friends and family spread this beauty to so many different places. She loved the nurturing and tending of gardens. Such could also be said of her relationships with children.

Through her life, Gail was a favorite aunt to many. She cared for two generations of nieces and nephews, and she never said no when she was asked to care for a child. Spending time with Aunt Gail was a treat. There were always popsicles available, even at times of day when popsicles are typically not consumed. Aunt Gail would get into the pool with you to swim, even if was so cold no other adult would even consider it. There were always plenty of toys to play with, and you could be sure that if you really loved a toy, you would take it home with you when you left. That is what Aunt Gail was like.

Her greatest familial joys arrived in the form of her grandchildren: Jane Soule Way, born in 2003, Leo Soule Way in 2005, and Milo Totaro Soule, born in 2009. She loved these children completely and effortlessly. She gave her whole heart and self over to them, and they filled her world. She was always there to spend time with them and have fun with them. And she was such a fun Nana. Once she let Jane and Leo jump into her pool in their underwear, because they thought it would be so funny. She loved eliciting belly laughs from her newest grand-baby, Milo. Her last years were replete with the joy these children gave her, and they loved their Nana more than anyone else in the world. Gail spent her whole life giving to those she loved, and all she loved will always be the better for it.

Gail passed away the morning of January 5th, 2011 after experiencing a pulmonary embolism. Her passing was sudden and unexpected; she passed peacefully, surrounded by those who love her so much. We will continue miss her, but will so treasure our memories. Our hearts will always be filled with the joy she brought to our lives.

Gail will be sadly missed by her husband of 40 years, Paul W. Soule, their two children Sarah Soule Way and her husband of North Yarmouth and John K. Soule and his wife Julie of Portland and her three grandchildren Jane Soule Way, Leo Soule Way, and Milo Totaro Soule. Gail is also survived by six siblings, Jane Ferrelli of Franconia, NH, Michael Knight of Westbrook, Cynthia McGarry and her husband Owen of Cape Elizabeth, Mary Randall and her husband Ken of Gorham, Deborah Walsh and her husband David of Westbrook and Richard Knight of Westbrook as well as several nieces and nephews. Gail was also the sister of the late Bruce Knight, who died in 2008 and sister-in-law of the late Frank Ferrelli and Bonnie Knight.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday, January 9, 2011, from 2-5 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 10, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 295 Brown Street, Westbrook.

Internment will be held at a later date.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Gail’s guestbook.