Gail M. Murray died Dec. 3, 201,8 in Great Barrington following a long illness. Born Feb. 27, 1930, in New Rochelle, New York, to Helen (Dodge) and Hamilton McInnes, she attended St. Agnes School in Albany, New York, and Edgewood Park College in Briarcliff Manor, New York.
She married Donald F. Murray Aug. 16, 1952. They had two daughters, Lynn and Diane, who died at age 11 from cystic fibrosis. In 1957 she and husband Don moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Ardsley, New York, and later additionally kept a second home in East Hampton, New York. She was a Cat Fanciers Association leading member for many years, and, under the name Gaidon, bred and raised Siamese cats, many of which went on to capture titles/trophies on the cat show circuit. Gail and Donald later moved to Pound Ridge, New York, where she started a successful antiques and furniture restoration business. She enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid gardener and gourmet cook who enjoyed entertaining her many friends and extended family. In 1983, she and Donald purchased the “Peanut Cottage” on Alford Road in Great Barrington, and proceeded to improve and expand the house and property where they eventually retired. A multitalented, creative and gregarious personality, Gail was a true friend as well as a loving mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her daughter Lynn (John Slonaker) of Pawling, New York; her granddaughter Kelly Slonaker of Bedford, New York, and Thomas Ackerman of Great Barrington, her loving companion of 10 years. Gail was predeceased by her husband and two older sisters, Carol Solenberger of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Janet Deschere of Poughkeepsie, New York.
The family asks that those wishing to honor her memory contribute to any of the following: Alzheimer’s Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship in care of FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to the family, go to http://www.finnertyandstevens.com.
