Gail (Read) Brown passed away peacefully on April 5, 2021 in Queensbury, NY after a long illness. She was 85. Gail was born in Pawtucket, RI, and grew up in Quincy and Natick, MA.
She attended Antioch College and, while raising her five children, went back to school to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Pace University and started work as a Registered Nurse.
She was passionate about the importance of breastfeeding for the emotional and physical health of newborns, and she worked as an Obstetric Nurse at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY before being recruited to start the first parent education program in Lamaze at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, serving as their first certified Lactation Consultant, helping new mothers to breastfeed their children.
Gail was happily married to the late John J. Brown, a realtor, for 58 years. They began their married life in Eastchester, NY and Bronxville, NY, and then moved to Garrison, NY before retiring to Minerva, NY.
Even during her retirement, Gail worked as a nurse for various physician practices across the Adirondacks. She volunteered at the Adirondack Tri County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in North Creek, NY.
Gail loved to read fiction and amassed a huge collection of books. She sewed clothes for her family and had an eye for fashion. She was always elegantly dressed and she loved to cook, listen to Mozart, and garden. She enjoyed her monthly lunches with the Minerva Red Hat Society. She loved cats and always had at least one around at home; usually they were all called “Kitty”.
Gail is survived by her brother, Ruff Read; and by the families of her five children: Michael Rau (Nancy Page Cashman), Linda Rau Strasser (Walter Chapman), Lisa Rau (Paul Jacobs), Anastasia McGarity (William), and Lloyd John Brown (Michele Hervieux Brown); as well as six grandchildren: Bryan Rau Jacobs (Kaleigh Kenney), Kelly Rau Jacobs, Robert Rau, William Rau, John Rau and James Rau.
At Gail’s request, there are no calling hours or funeral services scheduled.
Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.