Gale Brownlee Obituary

Gale Brownlee

WOODSTOCK- Gale Brownlee of Woodstock, died on Oct. 25,, 2012, at the Kingston Hospital from complications after surgery.
Daughter of the late Gladys Downer Feeley and John J. Feeley, her family roots in Woodstock went back to the 1800s when her grandfather, Dr. Mortimer Byron Downer Sr., settled there to practice. She graduated from Kingston high school in the class of 1944 and was a soloist with Dr. Stein's celebrated a cappella choir as well as a drum majorette with the high school band.
After high school she had a multi-faceted career in N.Y.: waitressing, hatcheck girl, and photographer at the stork club, El Morrocco, and the Latin quarter. During the second World War she joined a U.S. O. entertaining our troops.
Strikingly beautiful, she went on to a career as photographer and runway model, t.v. commercials and in design in the garment district where she had her own label. When she returned to Woodstock she found her true calling as a commercial pilot at the Kingston Airport. She also became an instructor as well as flying fire watch over the mountains. She joined the women's flight club: the 99s, flew in races in the Powder Puff Derby's and ferried a plane as co-pilot to Nairobi, Africa. To enhance her income she also became an associate broker in real estate.
Always an activist in spirit and act, she formed the first hospice in Kingston having enlisted the aid of Sister Mary Charles of the Benedictine Hospital. She also proposed a heliport at the Benedictine Hospital and accomplished that as chairman of the helipad fund. When Central Hudson tried to push forward a plan for a coal burning power plant with tall smoke stacks she was able to arouse enough support to stop the project.
She is survived by her daughter, Ardis (Pixie) Brown; her sisters, Pam Marvin and Ellen Katz; and her brother, James Feeley and wife Sue; her cousin, Faith Goetz Brune and her husband Warren; nephews, Rod Mcleod and Jason Katz; and nieces, Wendy King, Maury Moore, Kerry Griffin and Mara Katz; cousins, Alex, Peter, and Rennie Cantine and Elspeth Brown, an aunt, Mrs. Carol Downer, 13 great-nieces and nephews; and nine great-great-grandnieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be at the Lasher Funeral Home in Woodstock on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 from 4 to 8 p.m. The service will be held there on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Woodstock Ambulance Corps or the Woodstock Fire Company, would be very appreciated.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Freeman from Oct. 28 to Oct. 29, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Gale Brownlee

12 Entries

Adriana DeSantis

October 25, 2013

So sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting Gale at the Thompson House. She was a wonderful person and I really enjoyed getting to know her. Such a very special woman.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Adriana
(Hairdresser Thompson House)

Mel Karp

January 15, 2013

Gale was a beautiful person in soul, spirit & looks.She arranged several house rentals for us & was a generous guide to the best of Woodstock. A warm & quick wit was her trademark. She lives in our memories.

November 4, 2012

With heartfelt sympathy to the family for this loss. The Bible assures us of where our loved ones are and gives a wonderful hope that is in store for them in the future.

elayne barry

November 4, 2012

You will long be remembered as a person of many accomplishments. I will remember you always.

Shirl Van Kleeck-Vickerson

November 2, 2012

God Bless Gale - my heartfelt sympathies to her family. I got to know Gale through flying in the sixties. We became fast friends and I worked with her on some of her pet projects; ie, the Benedictine Heliport,the 99's, etc. I will always remember her kind ways, her love of animals and her drive. She will be sorely missed. Mispah my friend,

Joan Lonergan

November 2, 2012

Strong, determined, opinionated and dedicated. Those are the words that come to mind when I think of Gale. If she wanted to get something done there was nothing that could stop her. I met Gale in 1991 when starting my career and I so admired her, she was the undisputed queen of real estate in Woodstock. I know her spirit lives on because she touched the lives of so many who have made Woodstock their home. I will always remember her and smile.

Fran Breitkopf Terrie Rosenblum

November 1, 2012

We consider ourselves lucky to have had Gale as part of our lives. We'll always remember her wit, the strength of her convictions and the laughter we shared. We will miss her.

Kevin Castiglione

October 31, 2012

I became a friend of Gale's in the late 60s. I was the cadet commander of the Ulster County Civil Air Patrol Squadron. We took on the project of detailing her plane for the "Powder Puff Derby" that year. She was a woman before her time. i have remembered her all these years.

Arlene Spiesman

October 29, 2012

I will always remember flying with Gale
doing fire watch. Gale was a great pilot and part of our 99's of the HudsonValley.
a fellow pilot & friend Arlene Spiesman

Ken E Osterhoudt

October 29, 2012

With always a smile on your face Gale, I shall always remember you,your parents and your family. Rest in Peace Gale.

October 29, 2012

Very sorry for your loss. Gale was a fine part of the Ulster County Realtor Family and a great service to her clients and her community.Dolly Decker

Deanna Moon

October 28, 2012

I am so very sorry for the loss of Gale..she was a pleasure to know, always made me smile and I enjoyed what little time I spent with her. May she rest in peace and always evoke fond memories of all who knew her..My heart goes out to her family at this sad time..With Deepest Sympathy,
Deanna
xoxoxoxo

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