Gail H. Smith

Gail H. Smith (nee Hoss), longtime resident of Barrington, Illinois, 71. She was the devoted wife of David K. Smith; treasured mother of Brittany, Joshua, Kristina, Rebekah (Adam) Cook, Jared, Aaron, and Abigail Smith (Jeffery Carneke); loving grandmother of Makenzie, Caden, Aubrey, and Hailey Cook, and Alexandria and Anastasia Smith; dear sister of Terry (Suzanne) Hoss; preceded in death by her parents Roy and Thelma L. Hoss (nee Linneman).

Gail was born August 11, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents moved to Des Plaines, Illinois soon after, where they raised her and her brother, Terry. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1974 and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston in 1979. She married David on December 27, 1975. He was her stalwart support and loving companion for their 48 years of marriage.

Gail came to faith in Jesus Christ at the age of 27 in Houston, Texas. Her love for God influenced every aspect of her life. She was led to leave her career in social work to focus on her roles as a wife and mother, putting all her efforts into raising and educating her seven children. She had a love for quilting and turned her hobby into an art form, creating over 60 quilts, which have been displayed worldwide and won multiple awards. Her real passions, however, were her family and the God who saved her. She went to Heaven on Monday morning, March 11, 2024.  A last message to her family: “And I want nothing from this life other than each of you being on fire for Jesus.”

Visitation will be held from 3pm until the funeral service at 5pm Tuesday March 19th at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights.  Burial will be held privately.