Gail E. Peet

Gail Eastman (Parks) Peet, 83, of Pawtucket, formerly of Providence, passed away June 7, 2023, after a long illness. Born in Providence on August 6, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Albert Lauritson Parks, Jr., and the late Dorothy Isabel (Arnold) Parks.
Gail attended the Wheeler School in Providence for several years, and, after the family moved to Worcester MA, she graduated from North High School. Gail then went on to earn a BS in Nutrition, Diet Therapy, and Institutional Management from Simmons College in 1961. She met Harvey Knight Peet (also of Providence) when she was interning for Stouffers Food Corporation in Cleveland, and he was there on a business trip. After a whirlwind romance they married on October 20, 1962.
After graduating from Simmons, Gail completed a Dietetic Internship and became a Registered Dietitian, Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Food Safety Manager. As a Dietitian, Gail worked in numerous healthcare settings but mostly for various nursing homes. She especially enjoyed working as a Dietitian at Hallworth House for over 45 years.
In the community, Gail was a member the League of Women Voters and a member and past Treasurer of the Junior League of Providence. She served on the Board of Managers of Bethany Home of Rhode Island and was also a member and past Chair of the Providence Advisory Committee to Special Education.
Gail was a member of the Rhode Island State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution: She served as Regent of the Beacon Pole Hill Chapter and later as Rhode Island State Vice Regent (1992-1995) and Rhode Island State Regent (1995-1998). Along with other DAR members, Gail developed and implemented 'Fall Sunday in the Park'. This annual event, which focused on recognizing and honoring veterans, was held at Slater Park and other locations throughout the state for more that 16 years.
Gail was a life-long member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Providence where she played a central role in the church community, serving on the vestry, as a eucharistic minister, and as a church school teacher. She also volunteered for and was a past trustee with Episcopal Charities of Rhode Island and the Epiphany Soup Kitchen. In partnership with Harvey, Gail originated the annual St. Martin's May Breakfast and Thanksgiving Dinner. The dinner, offered on Thanksgiving Day in the Great Hall of St. Martin's Church, served up to 200 guests each year, for over 40 years.
Gail was an avid sailor. She spent her childhood sailing out of Edgewood Yacht Club and her parent's summer home in Buttonwoods, Warwick, RI. She was a past member of East Greenwich Yacht Club and the Narragansett Bay Power Squadron. Together with Harvey, she enjoyed sailboat racing and cruising with family and friends on Narragansett Bay, Block Island Sound, the Elizabeth Islands, Martha's Vineyard, and out to Nantucket.
Gail is remembered for her endless capacity for hard work, her perseverance in the face of challenge and her relentless advocacy for, and service to, those in need. She was an especially strong advocate for her disabled daughter, Katherine, working tirelessly to ensure she was properly cared for. Her love of holidays and entertaining was a joy to all who knew her. She is remembered fondly for her tendency to travel anything but light – wherever Gail went she brought food and supplies to feed and clothe an army, and frequently did.
She is survived by her children Elisabeth, Benjamin, and Katherine; her grandchildren Jesselle Mae and Kevin, and her daughter-in-law Maria.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held, Saturday, July 15, 2023, 10:30 am at St. Martin's Church, 50 Orchard Avenue, Providence. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gail's memory may be sent to St. Martin's Church.