Gail Margaret Thompson
February 19th, 2023
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Gail Margaret Thompson (née Garratt) died at 8:20 am, Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Grace Hospice in Regina, SK. Gail was born in Milestone, SK on July 25, 1950 to Walter and Dorothy Garratt. She was predeceased by her parents, and older brother, Ross, who died in infancy, and cousins Neil Garratt, Doug Hersberger, Dale Shaw, and Keith Shaw. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Gerry; her beloved sister, Ann Bishop, Ann's son, Jackson, cousins Wray Howard and Leslie Stafford and their families, cousins Lyle and Earl Garratt and their families; cousins Judy Glagau, Janet Smith, Susan Ward, Russell Hersberger, Betty Hersberger, Kate Hersberger, Chuck Hersberger, Larry Hersberger and their families; cousin Gwen Irvine and her family; and by Gerry's family: brothers Blair and Ron and their families, sisters Linda Hryhoriw, Lorna King and Shirley Gilbert, and their families.
Gail will be missed by her wealth of friends, ranging from her happy childhood in Milestone to those gathered through her adult years. Once you were Gail`s friend, you were a friend for life. She will also be missed by her many valued colleagues from her career at the University of Regina. She took pride in her rise from clerk in Human Resources to her long-held position at retirement as Assistant Registrar. In that position she served as an executive member of Western Canadian and National Registrars Associations until she retired.
As a prairie farm girl, Gail loved the assorted menagerie at the family farm, especially her eccentric Welsh pony, Spooky, Ann's blind quarter horse, Rusty, and Shetland pony, King. She was out on horseback, typically without a saddle, at every possible time, summer or winter. During the cold Saskatchewan winters, she spent many happy hours at the Milestone Rink, watching her mom curl and developing her skills as a figure skater. In warmer months she happily performed in track and field, softball and basketball (but not golf, Gerry's addiction in later years). Always musical, she studied piano and voice at the Regina Conservatory of Music and was happy to sing at wedding ceremonies and other events. She spent many happy years singing harmony with the Sweet Adelines chorus, traveling throughout Canada to perform in competitions. An animal-lover all her life, she particularly adored her family's cocker spaniel, Tammy, her beloved cats, Fang, Purrsy Bysshe and Flicka. During her illness, she was ever gladdened by Ann's cheerful little dog, Pippin. She loved growing flowers, particularly in her rose garden.
A sun worshipper since her childhood, Gail loved retirement winters spent down south, twice in Mexico, and for a decade in her beloved Palm Springs, where she and Gerry happily engaged in a community of friends at the Balmoral, with fellow snowbirds from Oregon to North Dakota, from Minnesota to Maine, and from across Canada, from Vancouver Island to New Brunswick. She spent endless sunny days working on group crossword puzzles, or playing "farmers' rummy”, and thoroughly enjoyed the regular "happy hours" spent in the pool pavilion.
The family would like to thank the numerous medical professionals who provided help and comfort during the last difficult days of her life, especially her family doctor, Barry Lotz, and the wonderfully supportive nursing staff at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre`s and General Hospital's hemodialysis units as well as the Allan Blair Cancer Centre. Her family is especially grateful to the sensitive and sympathetic people working for Palliative Care and the Grace Hospice. Flowers are gratefully declined, but a donation in Gail`s memory to the Regina Humane Society or the Hospitals of Regina Foundation to support the city's hemodialysis units would be appreciated.
Messages:
Gail….where to begin. So many wonderful memories of our friendship over the years. Singing 4 part harmony in the subway in Vancouver. The accoustics were wonderful. Pool parties, countless suppers, dressing up at Halloween and going to the Teachers’ Club. All those bird themed Christmas ornaments. Your incredible generosity as a host and friend. Many of the best days of my life were spent in your company. You are missed.
May Gail's Memory be forever Eternal, Gerry from my family to yours we send our deepest sympathy. I will always remember how wonderful Gail treated us as players and as coaches when we came over for coaches meetings and get togethers.
Gerry and Ann, I have a rather vivid memory of Gail back in the day when there were horses/ponies on her parents' farm. I’m not sure how this memory may have evolved over the years as it's been a looooong time! It was a black and white horse/pony, and Gail would stand in front of it and somehow get it to rear up on its hind legs. She would then reach up and put the palms of her hands on the bottom of its hooves and stand there like that, briefly. You are welcome to correct any inaccuracies but I can still visualize it as if it was yesterday. Gail touched the lives of so many folk over the years; she will remain in all those hearts! I've thought of her often the last little while.
My sincere condolences for your loss, Gerry. I just found out this evening. I have may fond memories of our many visits back in our university days in the early 70's. Gail was always fun to be with. Be strong, old friend.
My condolences to Gerry and Anne and all those who were close to Gail. This picture is so nostalgic as Gail looks so much like her mother. Both so beautiful. Rest well and peacefully my lovely cousin. You will be missed.
Yvette and I met Gail and Gerry at the Biltmore in Palm Springs the 1st year we went, and enjoyed their presence each time we returned. The card games and visiting under the umbrellas on a daily basis were a common occurrence. The Covid situation kept us from seeing them for 4 yrs and I am sorry to have heard Gail will no longer be with us.
Our sincerest condolences to you Gerry, Anne and the rest of our family. Gail and I had a special friendship and although from a distance, we continued to communicate for many years. I will miss her sense of humor and thoughtful conversations. May she rest in peace. She will be missed and forever have a special place in my heart. Much love, Larry and Ela Hersberger (and our children Layla, Juliette and Anna Rose)
My sincere condolences to Gerry and Ann. We enjoyed many fun days here in California during the Winters and lunches in Regina.
I was deeply saddened to read of Gail’s death. She was always so sassy and feisty and funny when I knew her in the Registrar’s Office at the University of Regina that I find it very difficult to imagine that the world will continue to turn without her. She certainly added spice to my world. My deepest condolences to my former Scott schoolmate Gerry, Gerry and Gail’s families, and to all of Gail’s many friends. I take solace from the words of Javier Methol, a survivor of the 1972 plane crash in the Andes who lost his wife then: “People you love die only on the day you forget them.”
My condolence goes out to Gerry and Ann in your loss. I know of Gail as the Assistant Registrar at the University of Regina.
It has been many years since I went to school with Gail but always enjoyed our time together. Sending my sincere thoughts and prayers with all her family.
I am so sorry to read of Gail's passing. I got to know her during the course of my thirty year teaching career at the University of Regina. I very much liked and respected her both as a person and as an extremely capable Assistant Registrar. She was always helpful, warm and supportive. I recall attending her retirement gathering at the university, at which she asked me to let her know when I would hold my own retirement party so that she could attend too. Although I never did hold one of my own I deeply appreciated her kindness and thoughtfulness. My deepest condolences to her family.
My deepest sympathy to Ann. Gail had a wonderful life, full of interesting work and great friendships. You had a great bond as sisters. My thoughts are with you Gerry. My condolences to all of you for your loss. Jan
Our condolences go out to Gerry and the rest of the family. We remember Gail and the better days, the many stories and we laughs we shared at the Teachers Club. RIP, Gail
Gail was such a wonderful and thoughtful person, her big heart for everyone in her life is missed by me and I know by many others. I have many fond memories of Gail in her childhood in Milestone, and when she first began dating Gerry. It was clear to my late husband and I, at that time, that these two were meant for each other. We went away happy, that they had found one another. Then they both supported each other as they made great strides in their lives together. My heart goes out both to Gerry and to Ann, Gail's sister. Ann, you and Gail were almost like twins, you were so supportive of one another. During Gail's illness, you, Ann, were such as invaluable support for her, these months now, must be difficult, and I think of you and Gerry often and wish you well.