Gail Drohan

An angel to many and a friend to all, Gail Corinne Frankish Drohan passed away on October 2, 2025, at age 87. Gail was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 20th. 1938 to John "Jack" Fletcher Frankish and Barbara Aileen Tondro.
Gail's father, Jack Frankish was a reporter for United Press International and had covered such stories as the Hindenburg Airship disaster and the Lindberg baby kidnapping trial. Tragically, Jack was killed while covering the "Battle of the Bulge" from Belgium in December 1944. Several years later, Gail's mother, Barbara, was re-married to Nelson Alexander Gray, a citrus rancher in Southern California who played a prominent role in Gail's life and for whom her son Gray was named.
Gail graduated from Chaffey High School in Ontario, California, spent two years at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and then came back to California to attend UC Santa Barbara. It was during this time that Gail met Bob Drohan on a blind date set up by friends. After a short courtship, Bob asked Gail to marry him, and they tied the knot on April 23rd, 1960, at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Upland, California. Bob's career growth with Western Auto Supply Company necessitated transfers taking the new family to Phoenix, Arizona where Gray was born, Long Beach, California where Tom was born and to Lake Oswego, Oregon by 1969.
Taking a side excursion while on a business trip, Bob passed through Gig Harbor, Washington and was inspired to inquire about a tavern, basement restaurant and top floor residence that was for sale in town. It was the Harbor Inn, at the bottom of Pioneer Way, near the marinas and with a view of the quaint harbor. Bob bought Gail a plane ticket to come up and meet him to see what their future could be. Spring of 1975 began the 32 years of Gail and Bob providing cherished food, drinks, and hospitality so loved and remembered by all who visited.
Gail was an avid boater and experienced sailor. Together with Bob, they owned several sail and powerboats over the years. They enjoyed decades of cruising many of the waters of the Northwestern US, Canada, Alaska and Mexico. They eventually moved over to motor coach travel and traversed the United States multiple times, re-connecting with their heritage, family and friends.
Gail's innate passion was for people. She helped build and sustain any group or activity with which she came in contact. Her smiling face and genuine interest in others became her trademark. In her later years, she became well known as the one who made new folks feel welcome. She reached out to those who were lonely. Despite any setbacks she endured, she saw life as an immense blessing. She was grateful to those who helped her. She always said, "thank you". She is deeply missed by her family, friends, and community.
Gail is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 55 years, Robert Price "Bob" Drohan. She is survived by her brother, Brian Edward Frankish (Tannis); sons Gray Cameron Drohan and Thomas Hugh Drohan (Mary); grandchildren Ethan Drohan, Carmine Drohan, Katherine Drohan, Virginia Astin (Stephen) and George Drohan.
A memorial service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church at 2pm on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Reception in the church will follow.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in her honor to Gig Harbor Junior Sailing at www.gigharborjuniorsailing.org.