Wonderful mother and mentor
Published in the September 22, 2016 edition
WILMINGTON — Gail A. (Roche) Gallant, fondly known as “Gailzy” to her daughter and friends, age 75, of Wilmington, formerly of Lawrence and North Andover, died unexpectedly on September 19, 2016, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford.
Gail was born on April 23, 1941, in Lawrence. She was the cherished only child to the late George Raynor Roche and Phyllis (Morrill) Roche. Gail was raised and educated in North Andover and was a graduate of North Andover High School. Following graduation, Gail attended the Robert Powers Finishing School to help prepare her for her professional career.
Gail was a hard worker; in her younger years she worked at Grant’s Department Store in Lawrence and then took a job at Raytheon where she met many dear friends. Gail then moved on and took a managerial position at the Robert E. Anderson Civil Engineering Associates in North Reading where she worked for over 25 years.
Gail was a woman of great faith and an active communicant of the Trinity Congregational Church in North Andover where she was baptized and later married. For many years Gail enjoyed teaching Sunday School at the Church and sharing her faith with her students.
Gail married the “love of her life” Donald Gallant in 1972; the couple lived in Lawrence for a couple of years before building their dream home in Wilmington. Gail and Donald became proud parents to their daughter Tara; she was such a shining light in their lives. Gail loved being a mom, she was always there with unconditional love and support for her daughter and they shared a close, unbreakable bond throughout the years. Gail was not only a wonderful mother but an exceptional mentor in Tara’s eyes. Gail was known to always put her family first in her life; there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them.
In her spare time, Gail enjoyed “hanging out at her house” relaxing with family and friends and listening to her favorite musical artist Neil Diamond. Gail was an AVID sports fan who loved following football, baseball, and NASCAR on her favorite television.
Gail will be remembered as a wonderful lady, smart, funny, kind and caring; she was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
Gail was the beloved wife of the late Donald S. Gallant, loving mother of Tara L. Gallant of North Andover formerly of Wilmington, cherished daughter of the late George R. and Phyllis (Morrill) Roche. Dear friend of Sally Fraser of Londonderry, NH. Gail is also survived by many nieces, nephews, colleagues, friends and her “grand-dog” Bernie.
Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Service at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Saturday, September 24 at 11:00 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, September 23 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Memorial donations in Gail’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 101 1st Ave., Waltham, MA 02451. www.nicholsfuneralhome.com
