IN MEMORY OF GAIL FRAHILL
GAIL MARY-MAY FRAHILL (FRANGKIS)
August 9 1947 – March 1 2023
Gail was a force of nature. The life of every party. But she was so much more – a partner, a mother, a grandma, a nurse, a friend.
Gail’s loss is felt deeply by her loving partner of 33 years, Don Wells, her daughter Tara Markwart (Jamie Murray), her adored grandson Zachary and his father Kent Markwart. As well as many friends and colleagues.
Gail fought a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer since 2015. She lost her precious daughter Erin to the same disease in 2020.Despite a broken heart she fought as long as she could to stay with the ones she loved. So when her health failed suddenly 2 weeks before she died it came as a shock.
The family is grateful for the expert care and love from her friends and colleagues Theresa and Grace and Dr. Paul Sugar who made her last wish a reality. Gail spent her final days at home surrounded by her loving family.
In 1988 Gail made the courageous decision to leave her home in Qualicum Beach and start a new life in Vancouver. She had a small amount of cash and a large amount of hope that this risky move would change her life for the better. The year before Tara had moved to Victoria to pursue post secondary education . Erin and Gail moved to the mainland and rented a small apartment in North Vancouver.
Gail got a job at Lions Gate Hospital as an R.N. in the float pool. She described it as her year from hell. At the end of that year she landed her dream job in the Labour and Delivery unit and her future looked bright.
She was introduced to Don by a colleague. He would turn out to be the love of her life. Don was working as a travel agent at a time when the perks were many. They travelled the world - often in first class and had the time of their lives!
In the early 2000’s more dreams would be realized. Gail and Don bought a new home in 2003. By this time Tara had moved to North Vancouver. And in 2005 she presented Gail with her most treasured gift- a grandson named Zachary.
Gail and Don loved to share their home with family and friends. Their annual Christmas and Summer bashes were legendary.
Gail had worked full time as an R.N. since her graduation in 1969. She was a skilled nurse and had assisted in countless births. But all those years of shiftwork and high stress were taking their toll. By her sixties she began to look longingly towards retirement. Like everything she did she went out in style. Her retirement party at the Pinnacle Hotel was a night to remember. Tom Jones (AKA Dr. Kaye) made an appearance and Gail was as happy as she’d ever been.
But tragedy struck just a year into her retirement. We were all heartbroken to hear that this beautiful vibrant women had received a diagnosis of stage 3 ovarian cancer.
But the qualities that had brought her so far would continue to serve her well. She fought with everything she had to prolong her life. She beat the odds and lived for eight years with this devastating disease.
She would want you to know how much she loved you. She would want you to remember the fun and laughter shared over so many years. She would ask you to raise a glass of really good red wine and celebrate a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Paul Sugar Foundation.
There will be a celebration of life for family and friends at a later date.
August 9 1947 – March 1 2023
Gail was a force of nature. The life of every party. But she was so much more – a partner, a mother, a grandma, a nurse, a friend.
Gail’s loss is felt deeply by her loving partner of 33 years, Don Wells, her daughter Tara Markwart (Jamie Murray), her adored grandson Zachary and his father Kent Markwart. As well as many friends and colleagues.
Gail fought a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer since 2015. She lost her precious daughter Erin to the same disease in 2020.Despite a broken heart she fought as long as she could to stay with the ones she loved. So when her health failed suddenly 2 weeks before she died it came as a shock.
The family is grateful for the expert care and love from her friends and colleagues Theresa and Grace and Dr. Paul Sugar who made her last wish a reality. Gail spent her final days at home surrounded by her loving family.
In 1988 Gail made the courageous decision to leave her home in Qualicum Beach and start a new life in Vancouver. She had a small amount of cash and a large amount of hope that this risky move would change her life for the better. The year before Tara had moved to Victoria to pursue post secondary education . Erin and Gail moved to the mainland and rented a small apartment in North Vancouver.
Gail got a job at Lions Gate Hospital as an R.N. in the float pool. She described it as her year from hell. At the end of that year she landed her dream job in the Labour and Delivery unit and her future looked bright.
She was introduced to Don by a colleague. He would turn out to be the love of her life. Don was working as a travel agent at a time when the perks were many. They travelled the world - often in first class and had the time of their lives!
In the early 2000’s more dreams would be realized. Gail and Don bought a new home in 2003. By this time Tara had moved to North Vancouver. And in 2005 she presented Gail with her most treasured gift- a grandson named Zachary.
Gail and Don loved to share their home with family and friends. Their annual Christmas and Summer bashes were legendary.
Gail had worked full time as an R.N. since her graduation in 1969. She was a skilled nurse and had assisted in countless births. But all those years of shiftwork and high stress were taking their toll. By her sixties she began to look longingly towards retirement. Like everything she did she went out in style. Her retirement party at the Pinnacle Hotel was a night to remember. Tom Jones (AKA Dr. Kaye) made an appearance and Gail was as happy as she’d ever been.
But tragedy struck just a year into her retirement. We were all heartbroken to hear that this beautiful vibrant women had received a diagnosis of stage 3 ovarian cancer.
But the qualities that had brought her so far would continue to serve her well. She fought with everything she had to prolong her life. She beat the odds and lived for eight years with this devastating disease.
She would want you to know how much she loved you. She would want you to remember the fun and laughter shared over so many years. She would ask you to raise a glass of really good red wine and celebrate a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Paul Sugar Foundation.
There will be a celebration of life for family and friends at a later date.
