Gail Wyllie Reen

Gail Wyllie Reen, 87, of Durham, beloved wife of Gerald K. Reen, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Together they shared fifty happy years of marriage.

Born in New Haven on February 13, 1939, she was the daughter of the late David and Iris (DeLisle) Wyllie.

One of Gail's proudest accomplishments was earning her Master of Education degree in Art as an adult. A lifelong creative spirit allowed her to fill their home with her own pottery and paintings-each reflecting her joy in noticing the simple beauty of the world. Music was another enduring passion, and she sang in several choirs over the years, including Yale Camerata, bringing friends and family together through song.

Though she will be deeply missed, Gail's presence lives on in the places and moments she loved most - the slopes of Stratton and the laughter of après-ski gatherings, the quiet Scottish mist, the gentle ripples of Great Pond, the soft colors and light of her paintings, songs shared among friends, morning trails through the Swiss Alps, the familiar aisles of Costco, and the last sweet bite of a Dari Serve sundae. In these simple joys, we will always find her.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her stepchildren: Sharon Roberts (Lee) of VA, Judy Proctor of NH, Mike Reen (Erika) of Madison, Pat Bradley (Mitch) of Durham, Catherine Murray of Wallingford, and Rita Riley of MA; twelve grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; her lifelong friend, Marcia Langston of MN; and many extended family members and cherished friends. She was predeceased by her first husband, John Murray; her brother, David Wyllie III; and her parents.

Services will be held privately, per her wishes, under the direction of The Wallingford Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gail's memory may be made to Bridgemark Center, 1912 Ferdell, Tyler, TX 75701 (bridgemarkcenter.org); ReRead Books & More, 106 Elm St., Cheshire, CT 06410 (rereadbooksellers.org); or a charity of your choosing.