Gail Ellen Thayer

Gail Ellen Thayer
Thursday, June 30, 1949 – Sunday, October 29, 2023
"If Love could have saved You, You would have Lived Forever."
It was during the summer solstice and the waxing crescent moon that a new branch on the Laing Family Tree began for the parents of James II and Thelma. They named her Gail. And this is her story.
Gail's life began as the first sibling to Paula, but the eldest child she became. Over the next 16 years, there would be nine additional branches added: Jamie and James III, Janet, Nancy, Gary, John, Denice and Dennis, and finally Kelly.
Gail grew up in the Oneonta, NY area. As a young adult, she married Kenny, and began her own tree which bore fruit. But sadly, unfortunate events led to Kenny's branch breaking far too early causing it to float down the river to his next destination. Gail named their son Kevin.
For the next few years, Gail and Kevin began a new life together in Milford, NY with the help of Gail's grandmother, Leona. There, a new romance began, and Gail's tree started to grow again. His name was Tom. Together, Gail and Tom created two new branches: the twins, Wade and Tammy. As Gail and Tom's tree grew, so did their siblings' trees, adding multiple branches of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
It was at this time Gail chose to plant her tree permanently in Milford. For the next five plus decades, Gail dedicated her energy not only to her family, but to her friends, and the community. She created a legacy by having a career in healthcare and cosmetology, but also through volunteering with the Milford Fire Department and Emergency Squad, a den mother for The Cub Scouts, assistant to the school's Milford-ettes and Color Guard teams, and let's not forget taxi services for her children and their friends. Gail loved to read and crochet. She held a deep love of her Native American heritage and owls.
Gail certainly had a "Put your big girl panties on, and deal with it" attitude, but on the inside, she was patient and caring, denoted by the number of people who referred to her as "Mom" or "Aunt Gail". You would always hear Gail say "Come on over. The door is always unlocked, and the coffee is always on."
Another branch began with the birth of her grandson, Antonio. Antonio was one of Gail's greatest joys. He provided light for her tree when it was weakened by darkness.
After over 45 years, Gail's trunk experienced a devastating break with the loss of Tom. As before, her tree endured, but it never fully healed. Until one night, in the stillness of the dawn, when the world was waking up to begin a new day, Gail's tree slipped silently into the water below where it floated downstream to her next journey, and she was reunited with all who were waiting for her.
Gail was a sister, a friend, a lover, a wife, a mother, an aide, a volunteer, and a grandmother. But, above all, she was loved. And she will never be forgotten.
Please join us on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Milford Fire House, located at 65 S Main St., Milford, NY, as we celebrate the life of Gail with all who loved and respected her. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Milford Fire Department and Emergency Squad of 65 S Main St., Milford, NY 13807, or Ottman Funeral Home of 22 Church St., Cherry Valley, NY 13326 (www.ottmanfuneralhome.com) in loving memory of Gail Thayer.