Gail Patricia Collar

Gail (Gael) Patricia Collar Fort Myers, FLGail (Gael) Patricia Collar died unexpectedly on Monday, July 2, 2012 in Fort Myers, Florida, after experiencing a cerebral hemorrhage. She is now in eternal joy and peace in Heaven with her God and His Son, her Savior, Jesus Christ. Services will be held at Demarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam, NY at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 16, 2012. Gael was born on December 11, 1944 to Gilbert N. Brooks and Vera C. Eveland Brooks in Saratoga Springs, New York. She graduated from high school in Rotterdam, NY. During this time she was taught art and drawing and mentored by Joe Faye of Creative Art Studios in Albany, NY. Her talent and love for art would come to fruition later in her life. She married and had four wonderful daughters. She also completed training in cosmetology and within a few years owned and operated her own salon named Hair We Are in Rotterdam, NY where she had great success. Gael sold her business in 1981 and moved to Austin, TX. At this time she became a born-again Christian and attended non denominational churches. Her knowledge of the Bible and love for Jesus Christ sustained her on her spiritual journey as she had great care and love for her family as well as concern for others. She worked for the Texas Department of Mental Health and attended Austin Community College. She also attained certification in handwriting analysis from the National Institute of Graphological Science. After moving to the Dallas, TX area in 1989, she began working for Southwest Airlines in reservations and attended Tarrant County Community College. This was in addition to loving and taking care of her daughters and grandchildren. After transferring with Southwest Airlines to Little Rock, AR in 2000, she resumed her art career and studied figure drawing at Garland County Community College and was mentored by several artists in Hot Springs, AR. In 2004 Gael was transferred to Oklahoma City with Southwest Airlines. She became a member of Draper Park Christian Church during this time. She also began studying acrylic painting under world famous artist, Bert Seabourn, at the City Arts Center. To further her career, Gael took several art, drawing, and painting courses at Rose State College in Midwest City, OK. During this time, her paintings were exhibited in several art galleries and restaurants in Oklahoma City and Norman. Her work was also accepted in juried art shows with the Oklahoma Art Guild (OAG) and the The Art Group (TAG). Gael retired as a reservations agent for Southwest Airlines in Oklahoma City in 2006, but continued with her art career because of the love and joy she received from it. Several of her paintings were published in a book of poems called Lessons From An Oklahoma Girlhood by Dorothy Alexander. She continued oil painting and studied under acclaimed portrait artist, Kathryn Walker Richardson with more success. She participated in The Realist Project exhibit at City Arts Center entitled Bus Stop in 2009. She was a very generous and giving person and donated paintings to the Shakespeare In The Park fundraisers in Oklahoma City, and Art For The Bridge in Dallas, TX. She won a first place award at the Children's Center art competition in Oklahoma City. In 2010, Gael and her husband, Jeff, moved to Fort Myers, FL to take advantage of warmer winters and a subtropical climate. She was a member of Faith Assembly Church there. She continued her art career and was a member of the Alliance, For The Arts and the Art League of Fort Myers. Her paintings were entered into competitions and exhibited at both organizations. She also exhibited at the Art for ACTS Gallery and the Davis Art Center in Fort Myers. She won first place and honorable mention awards. She also entered paintings in the annual fine art fundraisers and auctions for ACTs. Gael will be greatly missed by her family and many friends because of her loving, generous, and compassionate nature, as well as her inner beauty. She constantly touched other people with cards of her paintings, and notes to friends and others, who were sick or lonely. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family and friends were highly valued by her. She and her wonderful paintings and art will continue to live on in our eyes and hearts, forever. Gael is survived by her husband, Jeffrey M. Collar of Fort Myers, FL; daughters, Lisa L. Brooks of Austin, TX, and grandchildren, Eddie Rubio and Ashley Rubio; and great-grandson, Miles Rubio, also of Austin, TX, Jenette L. Prichard and her husband, David of Rotterdam, NY, Janeen R. Horlbeck and her husband, Greg, also of Rotterdam, NY, and granddaughter, Brandi Volans of Rotterdam, NY. She is also survived by a stepson, John M. Collar and his wife, Karin, and two step-grandaughters, Olivia Collar and Tess Collar, of Lawrence, KS; and a step-daughter, Susan Gosney, and her husband, Jim of Springhill, TN. Also surviving is her brother, Joe Best and his wife, Marie of Locust Grove, VA; and her sister, Karen Best of Rotterdam, NY; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives; and many wonderful friends. To see some of Gael's paintings you can go to her website http://gael-collar.artistwebsites.com In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice.