Gail Drinkwine

I am at a loss for words and beyond heartbroken to learn of Gail’s passing. I’ve only known Gail for a few years, since joining the choir at St. Anthony’s. Gail’s fiery personality and big heart made me feel instantly at ease, and I grew to love her like family in the short time I knew her. My boys were always talking about Gail, and being able to share her love of music was such an honor. She rekindled my love of singing after so many years away, and I enjoyed every second I got to spend with her. To say she will be missed is an understatement. I only found out this morning that she had passed and it came as a huge shock to my entire family. We loved Gail and the void she left behind is immense. We are praying for Paul, and her entire family. And we know she’s watching over us, the church, and the choir from her new home in Heaven.

This is one of the most difficult memorials I’ve written, next to the eulogies I wrote for my parents…I have had the privilege and honor over the past months to help care for my best friend of decades, Gail, along with her daughter, Angelique Marie and husband, Paul as she fought cancer with grace and bravery.

Gail was a beautiful soul with a loving spirt and exceedingly musically gifted and talented. She devoted her life’s work to Music, Liturgy, and the Liturgical Environment of various Catholic Churches…playing piano, organ, and sharing her beautiful soprano voice at Masses, weddings, funerals, and other church events. This was a labor of love for her and it showed with the grace and compassion she had for people. She developed and directed choirs in celebration of the weekly Liturgy and holidays, and always made sure the church was beautifully decorated for all seasons. We referred to her as “The Church Lady,” and there will never be another like her.

To say we were close is an understatement…we talked daily, shared everything, and I loved her like a sister – she was a sister to me. Her sharp wit and sense of humor were one of her many gifts. She and Paul were and are mine and Bill’s closest friends… we consider them family. Our friendship was unconditional, from the heart, and genuine.

As the priest who delivered the homily at her funeral Mass today said, it’s fitting that Gail’s funeral was celebrated on the feast day of St Cecilia, the Patron Saint of Music, as she was a professional musician.

My final gift to Gail was designing the tribute floral for her funeral, as I promised her I would. I hope this sendoff is worthy of your beautiful life, my friend.

I love you Gail and miss you more than I can say…you will be forever in my heart. I now have to learn to live my life without you. Until we meet again…♥️

~Gerilyn

I have known Gail since the late 1980’s and had the wonderful opportunity of having her and Paul sing at not just my first wedding but my second wedding 25+ years later as well. Se was so talented and meeting her and Paul at their house to pick out our wedding music in 2021, and her helping us get it just perfect, will be a wonderful memory we will have forever. Praying for all of her family at this very sad time, but we find comfort in knowing that she is now in Heaven singing and playing piano with all the angels. The “church lady” will forever be in my heart.

Gail was the joy in liturgical music. I remember how she and I talked about doing ‘Sister Act’ with our church choirs. The last time I saw her was at Mike Zeleny’s. I forgot how petite and cute she is and Mike had to tell me who she was. Gosh I loved her SO much. She made church a very happy place. She made a whole lot of people smile and we will miss her.

Paul and family, we are so sorry for your loss, we too are heart sick. We so loved being part of the choir when Gail directed and played ,she made practice fun and the choir sounded amazing under her direction. She was one of a kind and we were lucky enough to have had her in our lives. One day ,the beautiful voices will join in song again.

 My grandma was my biggest fan… she always said I was perfect… no matter what. She had a heart bigger than I could ever explain and a sense of humor that made anyone laugh, even if it got out of pocket sometimes. To her, I was “Brynncess.” To her, I was a beautiful princess with a heart of gold, destined for all of the greatness she imagined. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t do in her eyes. To say she touched a lot of hearts would be an understatement. She put everyone before herself and never complained or made us question. I fully believe she was put on this world to be a grandma and man am I lucky she was mine. After talking with my little brother, we both agreed she gave us more than we could have ever asked for, even in her finals weeks. She was always our shoulder to lean on, our biggest fan, and our safe place. The last time I saw her was at one of her first chemo appointments… we were supposed to beat this thing… only stage 2 we thought… As we left, my mom went to get the car, and my grandma and I sat there on a bench. It was a beautiful sunny day. My grandma wrapped me in her arms, and told me how perfect I was, how proud she was… it was like she knew that was the last time she would ever see me. She won’t get to see me walk the graduation stage in May or get married someday…. although we joked that’s not looking good after the last guy (who she nicknamed “mucus”) She won’t get to do a lot of things I hoped for, but I know she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be. She devoted her life to sharing her beautiful voice in the church and living her life to end up in heaven someday. Heaven was her end destination… getting to sing in the angel choir, being with those who went before her, and watching over on her favorite people. She was ready and although she was not even near old enough to die, she is in the place she has always believed in. Grandma, I will continue to make you proud. I will continue to show the world all the beauty you saw in me. I will make sure I take care of everyone the way you did. And, I will continue to bring laughter into every room because I want to be like you. I miss you so much already. ❤️ Love, Brynncess