Gail Seaton

Gail Seaton was born ‘Edith Gail Taylor’ in Kirkland Lake, a small gold mining town in Northern Ontario, Canada on May 22, 1942. As the second member of her family named Edith, calling her by her middle name, Gail, seemed like a natural fit for such an outgoing child. Her mother, Vera would say of Gail that she was an easy-going and optimistic child who could accept disappointment with a smile and get on with life. The spirit of optimism became a trademark that has characterized Gail’s entire life.

Gail spent her formable years growing up in the steel town of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The “Soo” as it is pronounced, sits on the border between Canada and the US, where 3 of the great lakes converge. Although it is an industrial city, it is also a very beautiful city located along the banks of the St. Mary’s river and Lake Superior. Throughout her primary and secondary education, Gail was a quick learner and a very talented student. During her senior year, Gail’s outgoing and optimistic personality was recognized as she won the school’s prestigious award for public speaking. Her gift for making conversation and communicating her thoughts would prove to be a signature characteristic.

Stan and Vera Taylor raised their family to have a healthy appreciation for the importance of nurturing not only their mental and physical health but also their family’s spiritual wellbeing. Gail was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and she worked hard to balance her long-term career pursuits with her love for the Christian ministry. After a fun-filled year of putting her writing and speaking skills to use at the local newspaper, the Sault Star, Gail decided to join her friends for a summer European adventure that included attending international conventions in Copenhagen, Hamburg, Paris, and London.

This rich spiritual experience proved to be the catalyst Gail needed to focus the next few years of her life in the Christian ministry. After returning from Europe, Gail joined her best friend Joanne Hamilton in Brantford, Ontario (near Niagara Falls) becoming a full-time “pioneer” for the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Although Gail had only worked for the Sault Star for a short period of time, they recognized the importance of her contributions by running a newspaper article on her life and choice to move to Brantford and re-running this article on the 25th anniversary of the occasion.

Around this time, the ‘fly in the ointment’ arrived on the scene. This person was none other than her now husband of 55 years, David Seaton. Dave and Gail had met several years earlier in Sault Ste. Marie when Dave was working in Northern Ontario as a telephone equipment installer for Northern Electric and in 1961 they decided to rekindle their friendship. With Gail now living in Brantford only 60 miles away, building their friendship became much more convenient! After a brief courtship, the two were married on May 18, 1963, and if ever a “one flesh” relationship existed, it was theirs. Dave and Gail chose to settle in the city of Toronto and started raising a family with Lisa being born in 1965, Danny, 1967, and John, 1969.

In late 1979, Dave accepted a leadership position with Northern Telecom in Research Triangle Park, NC and as a family, they relocated from Toronto to Raleigh. Gail’s optimistic and outgoing personality proved to be a wonderful support for her husband as he presided over various

aspects related to the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses as well as his secular responsibilities. Gail actively engaged in the congregation and community by welcoming people into their home for meals, Bible study, and ministry-related activities. Gail was a class act building an incredible reputation as a caring mother, fantastic cook, meticulous homemaker and active servant in the local congregation.

In 1988, Dave chose to leave his secular career at age 48 and as a couple, they traveled the world extensively. Travel explorations lead them through Europe, the Middle East, Canada, and the US, with Florida being a primary destination in the winter months! In addition to these adventures, they also traveled to Malawi, Africa for a one month visit with their daughter and son-in-law who serve in this region as missionaries. During this visit, they continued to share the good news about God’s Kingdom while taking in the incredible wildlife and rugged African landscape.

Gail’s ability to “get on with life” with a positive attitude while battling a debilitating terminal disease is to be admired. Gail’s infectious smile and warm heart touched everyone who entered her life, especially the many caregivers who supported her throughout her long journey. Gail’s mother, Vera, would be happy to know that although tested by serious illness, Gail never lost her optimism, her love for her family, and her faith in her creator, Jehovah.

Acknowledgements

1. First to my son Danny who’s almost daily vigil kept me going through this very challenging time.

2. Second to my many friends who took time to visit Gail, to read to her and encourage her. In this regard I would like to express a special note of gratitude to her long term care person “Maria Rodriguez” who said of Gail “She makes my day special!”

3. To Heartland Hospice and their wonderful staff who made it possible to care for Gail in our home.

4. Finally for the ongoing support of the congregation and the help and encouragement from my entire family.

Gail is survived by her husband of 55 years, David, along with their three children. Lisa Cheney and her husband John, Daniel Seaton and his wife Beth, and children Reynolds and Eliza, and John Seaton and his wife Lea, and daughter Barron. She is also survived by her sisters Barbara and her husband Orville Lawrence, and Brenda and her husband Malcolm Lapish along with numerous nieces and nephews.