Gail Patricia Woodruff

Gail Patricia Woodruff U.E. passed away on June 22, 2022, in Fort Erie, Ontario, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Niagara Falls, Gail was the daughter of Milfred Reginald Woodruff and Patricia Price. Predeceased by her husband Michael John McDermott (2004). Loving mother of Erin Kathleen (Battis) Walker (Carl), Conor James Battis (Amanda), Miranda (Whiteley) Joosten (Nick) and Jocelyn (Whiteley) Boodram (Jason). Doting grandmother of Aurora and Montgomery Battis, Cohen and Grayson Walker, and Gabriel, Avion, and Julian Boodram. Gail taught in the Niagara area schools for 33 years before retiring in 2000. She was very active in the United Empire Loyalists' Association and was a Past President of the Colonel John Butler Branch. She was very proud of her Loyalist heritage and was always eager to help others with family research. For many years she volunteered on Mondays with the Ontario Genealogical Society at the Thorold Library. She was active in several historical organizations and enjoyed researching the history of the early settlers of the Niagara Region. Gail spent many years researching the original land grants along the Niagara River and that book was published as "Loyalists and Early Settlers on the Niagara River Parkway" in 2011. Gail also spent over 30 years researching her "Woodruff" family and she published that book in the fall of 2021. She was a 20-year volunteer with the Nova House Book Riot and had been a member of that committee for many years. Gail became enthralled with the re-enacting of the War of 1812 and was a member of the Canadian Volunteers re-enacting group and the 2nd Lincoln Militia, along with her grandson Monty. Gail and her family are very appreciative of the loving care and friendship from her oncologists and nurses at the Walker Family Cancer Centre and the Para Med Team of Dr. Dooler and Lilyia. Enough thanks and love cannot be given to her family, cousin/sister Georgia and neighbours Helene, Cherrie, and Mike. Friends and family are welcome to a Celebration of Gail's life at Betty's Restaurant, 8921 Sodom Rd., Niagara Falls on Saturday, July 9 from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Pathstone Mental Health or the Walker Family Cancer Centre. Arrangements are entrusted to Essentials Cremation and Burial Services (905-354-2133). Online condolences may be shared on Gail's tribute page found at EssentialsNiagara.com.