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Gail REID-GURIAN Obituary
Gail passed away on August 16 at Hospice House in Spokane at the age of 65. She died of complications from pancreatic cancer. The third of three children, she was born to Dean and Margaret Reid in North Platte, Nebraska, on October 12, 1957. Raised in various towns and cities in Nebraska, she attended high school in Lincoln and then college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1979). In Lincoln, she met her best friend, Pam Brown, who became a sister to her and lives in Spokane very close to her.
In 1979, Gail's degree in Journalism took her to the Houston Post, then the Arizona Republic, then to Spokane where she decided to get a Masters in Counseling at Gonzaga University. Her brother, Tom, had died of complications from a congenital heart defect. In his passing, she confirmed the desire she had always felt to help people directly and devotedly. After getting her degree, she worked as a mental health counselor for the rest of her life, both for agencies such as Elderly Services and Catholic Charities and in private practice.
In Spokane, in 1984, she met Michael Gurian, and the couple married in 1986. That same year, the couple moved to Ankara, Turkey, where Gail became the therapist for the American Embassy and Michael taught at Ankara University. After two years in Ankara, Gail and Mike returned to Spokane. Soon after, daughters Gabrielle (1990) and Davita (1993) were born. Gail raised children while working in counseling and becoming the Managing Director of the Gurian Institute. In 2006, Gail converted to Judaism.
Gail is survived by her husband, Michael, her daughters and spouses, Gabrielle (Jack) and Davita (Ben), her brother Mike Reid, her aunt Kathy (Ron), and her cousins and their spouses in Nebraska and Colorado. She is also survived by her many friends and colleagues, and by the pets she loved, Crimson her dog, and Clover her cat. If you remember the 1960s song with those names in its title, you'll sense the sweet and loving sense of humor Gail had.
A memorial is being planned for September 7, 6:00 p.m., at Temple Beth Shalom, in Spokane. Donations can be made to SpokAnimal.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gail REID-GURIAN
Mary
September 7, 2023
Thank you ,dearest Gail for all your wisdom and guidance through the years.You saved my life .
Tiffany
September 6, 2023
I had the pleasure of doing Gail´s hair for the last several years. She was an absolute delight to have in my chair and we bonded over her stories of her family. I loved hearing about her daughters weddings and she was clearly in love with her husband. It was funny hearing about the puppy as well. She will be greatly missed. Her personality was one of my favorites. Prayers and thoughts to her family.
Mike Herzog
September 4, 2023
Gail's untimely passing leaves us in a world the poorer for her absence. She was smart, funny, compassionate, generous, competitive, gracious, welcoming -- in short, a truly good person. A mensch. Those of us who knew and loved her will always remember her magnificent spirit and will miss her often.
Jami Warner
August 30, 2023
It was such a privilege and honor to know Gail. She was an incredibly smart loving, funny, and thoughtful woman with a beautiful soul. May your happy memories be a source of comfort.
Micki Rogers
August 30, 2023
Gabby, Davita, and Michael, I'm sending my condolences. I have happy childhood memories of Gail and her smile. I'm so sad to hear of her passing and sending love to your family.
Ellen Main
August 30, 2023
Dr. Gurian
I am so sorry for your great loss.
You do not know me but your work has helped me better understand my two sons making me a better mother and person.
Lifting you and your family up in prayer.
With gratitude,
Ellen Main
Loveland, Ohio
April Jones
August 30, 2023
Michael, I am so sorry for your loss. I will be keeping you all in my prayers and sending you love and light.
Ron Henry
August 27, 2023
Please accept my condolences on a terrible and much too early loss. While I had not met Gail, I knew her well through her work in the Gurian Institute and I know the enormous contributions she made to improving the education of boys and girls. She will be deeply missed, but will smile down on us as we continue to advance her work with memory and fondness for her.
Ron Henry
Christine and Jade
August 24, 2023
My condolences to the family. I knew Gail for only a short while because we both walked our dogs at Comstock Park. Jade, my blue heeler, loved to play with Crimson while Gail and I talked and tossed balls for the dogs to race after. Gail was bright, robust and always smiling. She will be missed by many of the friends she and Crimson made at the Park.
warren farrell
August 20, 2023
Gail used her life to both care for others personally, and care for others through the remarkable work of the Gurian Institute, helping countless educators know how to effectively educate both boys and girls.
Her spirit was reflected in her eyes, voice and body language.
Her premature death is deeply sad to everyone she touched. They must have needed her in heaven.
Warren Farrell
Matt Kunze
August 20, 2023
My deepest sympathy for Michael and the family. Gail along with Michael were neighbors with my parents for 20+ years. During my visits to Spokane, I always enjoyed talking with her while I saw her walking Crimson. A very nice and warm person who I know will be missed.
Laura Read
August 20, 2023
Gail was my therapist for ten years, and she changed my life. She was great at interrupting me and asking the perfect question, and she often made me laugh. I am so sad to learn of her death and will be thinking of her family and friends during this time.
Eva Dwight
August 19, 2023
Gail was always so kind in her interactions with me. I know she will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
Kathy Olson
August 18, 2023
From the day Gail was born she was a delight. Her eyes would twinkle with joy. We´d play Barbies and, oh, how she loved her Barbie car! She was flower girl at our wedding and what a vision she was in her yellow dress with a halo of daisies-and, again the twinkling eyes! I´ve loved you through your life dear Gail and will forever. Kathy
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