Mrs. Gail Arnau Merz

Gail Arnau Adair Merz, 74, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 4, 2025. Born on November 24, 1950, in Atlanta, Georgia, she was the beloved daughter of Gwendolyn Hair Arnau Dodd and Francis M. Arnau, III. A proud Georgia native, Gail spent most of her life in Marietta, GA before relocating to Minnesota in 2013. Gail was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, and loyal friend, known for her quick wit, love of travel, charismatic personality, and generous heart. She retired as the HIPPA Compliance Officer and SEC Financial Services Office Manager for PharmAvail Benefits Management, following a 25-year career as SEC Compliance Officer and Office Manager for Bey-Douglas Associates. She was a dedicated mother to her two daughters, actively serving on the NW Girl Scouts of America Council and volunteering as their troop leader from 1985 to 1994. During their high school years, she was deeply involved in the PTA and Orchestra Booster Club at Lassiter High School. Gail also contributed her time to Red Cross AIDS education initiatives. Gail had an artistic flair and passion for crafting that was evident in the handmade gifts and creative projects she lovingly produced for her family and friends over the years. She loved traveling, cruising, concerts and Broadway shows. She was preceded in death by her mother, Gwendolyn Hair Dodd and grandmothers Nettie Hair Shook and Ruth Clower Arnau; stepfather, Jesse N. Dodd; her aunt, Beverly Arnau Langford and uncle Paul Langford. Gail is survived by her husband, Allan Merz; her daughters, Laura Adair D'Emilio (David) and Virginia Adair Hunter (Will); her father, Francis M. Arnau, III (Mary); her brother, Francis M. "Sonny" Arnau, IV (Suzanne); her sister, Alison Arnau English (Joe); her uncle, Charles Arnau (Elaine); and her cherished nieces and nephews: Francis M. "Quinn" Arnau, V (Erica), Katelyn Miller (Max), Anna McCauley (Luke), Mason Venable (Kayla), Cadon Russo and many others who loved her. Gail will be remembered for her humor, smile, resilience, creativity, and unwavering love for her family. Her presence was a gift, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. A graveside service and Celebration of Life will be held at Ridgeway Baptist Church in Commerce, GA, on Saturday August 16, 2025, at 12:00 PM. Family requests all in attendance wear something with sparkles, to resemble her personality and love for all things sparkly. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mayo Clinic Health System or Cobb County Animal Shelter. Mayo Clinic Health System : https://give.mayoclinic.org/give/685876?utm_source=devbing&utm_medium=devpaid&utm_campaign=devdevfundraisingbrandsearch/&msclkid=1769dcdab6f2164daef0b443b40d48be#!/donation/checkout?c_src=25A051GG1SNP91Z37B Cobb County Animal Shelter: https://ipn2.paymentus.com/rotp/cobb?pt=animal