Gail Clara Baldo

Gail Clara Lombardi Baldo, 78, of Charles Town, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born on January 31, 1947, in Ft. Meade, Maryland, Gail was the daughter of Mark and Beverly (Brando) Lombardi. She grew up with her sister, Carol Ann, and enjoyed an adventurous childhood that even included living in Germany with her family for a time. She graduated from Frederick High School in 1965 and became part of the very first group of students to receive on-the-job training at Frederick Memorial Hospital to become surgical technicians.

Gail built a career she was proud of, working at Frederick Memorial Hospital, Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, WV, and per diem in several other hospitals. Known by surgeons as a highly respected surgical technician, she set a high standard of skill and dedication. For a few years, she also worked for a local ophthalmologist, lending her steady hands and warm spirit both in-office and in the operating room. Earlier in life, she had also spent time working in an Italian kitchen and for a newspaper in Frederick-always keeping busy, always learning.

Beyond her work, Gail lived a full and colorful life. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved nothing more than gathering with family and friends-many of whom she considered family, too. She delighted in shopping (with a knack for touching nearly everything in the store), later mastering the art of online browsing with equal enthusiasm. In her kitchen, she was a true master-an accomplished cook and baker who could make anything taste wonderful. Gail also enjoyed reading, playing games, and keeping her mind sharp with trivia.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Ann (Lombardi) Stine; her children, Melissa (Baldo) Kerr (William "Brad" Kerr), Michelle (Baldo) Szela (Edward Szela), and Anthony Baldo II (Melissa [Miles] Baldo); her grandchildren, Ashley Szela, Nicole (Bruno) Surface (Thomas Surface), Megan Avila Kerr (José Avila), Dalton Szela, Sean Kerr, Jake Baldo, and Sarah Szela; her great-grandchildren, Riley Surface, Edgar Surface, Sawyer Szela, Clayton Kerr, Grace Kerr, Noah Avila Kerr, and Anastazy Szela; and by her niece and nephews, Melody Morales, Kenny Stine, and Mark Stine.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents and by her beloved granddaughter, Morgan Kerr.

She will be remembered for her sharp wit, her big heart, her generosity in the kitchen, and the joy she brought to the lives of all who knew her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 10:00 A.M., at Saint James Catholic Church, 49 Crosswinds Drive, Charles Town, WV 25414, with Father Grassi as Celebrant, assisted by Deacon Dave Galvin.

Join family and friends for a luncheon at the church immediately following the Mass.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, 256 Halltown Road, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, with a Vigil starting at 7:30 P.M.

Interment will be at a later date.