Dear friends and family of Gail,

I've been slow to send my condolences in large part because I did not know what to say - and that hasn't changed in the intervening period! Someone kindly posted one of my very favourite photos - with Gail and I in our youth - it must date from 1977 or so when I went on an extended trip to the US meeting with Amnesty groups across the country.  Gail and I took up as friends - as so many others must have done - because of her love of life and great sense of humour.....  I am so sorry that over the years our lives didn't intersect nearly often enough but I kept occasionally in touch via Jaana Rehnstrom Blane.  Gail was a wonderful human being and I send my warmest condolences to all those suffering her loss.

So sorry to hear about Gail. A kind and gentle soul.

The skies eyes are red like eyes of sorrow. 
R.I.P Gail.

Dear William,
I was so sad to hear about your Mom. I’m so lucky to have known her for the past 30 years. I’ll miss her keeping me updated with stories and pictures of you through different stages of your life as I was cutting her hair. I will think of her every time I hear the wind chime she gave me last year along with the wine glasses she was getting rid of . You will be in my thoughts and prayers.RIP my friend Gail.
Love,
Antoinette

I remember all the car rides to and/from swim practice at CSI with William.   The conversations always kept a smile on my face.   From the breaking dawn practice at 530am to 7am and then evening practice 5pm to 815pm and weekends, and meets.  She was everyone's biggest cheerleader, we lost a great woman. 😥

SO MANY ORDINARY AND BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS AND MEMORIES MADE WITH YOU, ALMOST ALWAYS BY SURPRISE-
AND MOST CERTAINLY ALWAYS MADE MORE BEAUTIFUL BY YOUR BEING YOU- ONE OF THE PUREST SOULS I'VE EVER MET- YOUR CHOICE GAIL, REST IN PEACE OR KEEP RIDING THE WIND AND I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN! WHENEVER I SEE THE STARS I WILL THINK OF YOUR TWINKLING EYES- JUST LIKE MY DAD'S.

My class was so excited to be in Gail’s exhibit.  And I am so grateful we met and shared some fun times together.  RIP Gail.  My condolences to Will and Katie.  The north shore lost it’s biggest cheerleader.   💔

I think of Gail as the kind of person who made Staten Island a place I want to live in - she was a kind, creative spirit who encouraged and inspired me every chance she got. Even though we didn't spend a whole lot of time together, we remained friends for a long time (since the JCC preschool years!), and she was always super warm and welcoming whenever Mike and I turned out for one of her many community projects.  So many photos and artworks that we love, but "Dew Diamond Pearls" will always be a favorite. We send our deepest condolences to William and all those who carry Gail's wonderful spirit forward.

Gail was a champion of the environment, of the people she loved and the community . This photo of Gail's work reminds me not only of her great regard for the environment - but also her playfulness and joy for life! She leaves a legacy of love and light to all who had the priviledge to know her!!!

Gail was such a vital and brilliant presence! And so gifted, too, as an artist and as a human being. She and I had discovered that neither of us had ever taken SIRT to the end of the line and back. We planned to do that together. So I will take Staten Island Rapid Transit this summer, right to the end of the line and back, and imagine her sitting right next to me!

Although Gail and I were just acquaintances, she really impacted my life.
There is a void in our community that loved her.
Her legacy will live on through every life she touched.

Janet

Gail and I shared a trip upstate last year. She drove and about an hour before reaching Ithaca she said oh I have to take a picture of my favorite barn.  So we pulled over and I picked some wildflowers and watched as she composed her shot. It doesn’t sound like much but it was sweet sweet insight into Gail, a  charming, thoughtful, creative, kind, spicy, feisty, loyal, generous,  person.  It was a delight to know her and I will remember her always in  loving  friendship.

Gail modeled for us how to live life to the fullest, and enjoy every moment. thank you for sharing your light with the world.

Cousins recently having lunch in NYC at The Harvard Club. Rest in peace Gail. Thank you for all of the great memories you created with each of us.
Love -Leah Ellsworth-Forrest

Gail was such a loving  person.
She was also  a gifted artist,  my neighbor,  and a highly respected  colleague as well as a friend.

I have such pleasant memories of brief but fun   time spent with her and our mutual friend Jaana .

Whenever I was walking in our neighborhood and encountered her, she always was a source of joy and  light!!

I will treasure knowing her .
RIP Gail...
THANK YOU for blessing you will  always be!!
Jeannine

Dear William,
On Mother's Day, Gail and I exchanged greetings. And she always called me on your birthday to thank me for delivering you! I have been following your life and career through her. I knew she had health issues of course, but this is unexpected. I am so sorry for your loss, and mine.  You have lost both parents within a rather short time, and I'm sure it must feel lonely. Gail  was a wonderful friend, although we were both too busy to see each other frequently. I am going to Finland, my birth country, on Wednesday. and won't be back until August 26. If you end up having a later memorial gathering, please let me know so I can attend. My email is drjaanarb@gmail.com and phone 917 969 2051. Also her neighbor, Jeannine Otis and her husband Larry would like to attend - I got to know Jeannine independently as she is a jazz singer with a strong Finnish connection - the 3 of us went out to lunch once on Staten Island. Jeannine's email is jotisnyc@aol.com and phone 917-774-3670. Take care, Jaana Rehnstrom

OBITUARY

Gail M. Middleton

May 7, 1950 – July 6, 2024

Harmon Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Memorial Gathering

Memorial Gathering