Esperanza Tovar – "Talking to her anytime I saw her about
any life tips she could give me so I could be as
happy and as sweet as she was. And every time she said everyone had kindness in them, you
just can't be
afraid to show it. I loved every conversation I had with her."
Kimberly Ely Jones – "Gail was always there for anything you
needed. Such a shining soul, always smiling.
It was a highlight every summer to greet her at the souvie Stand and to reconnect. No matter
how many years
it had been since my age out she always took time to chat, reminisce and just smile and
laugh."
Sheryl Miles – "Her house was always open to me and staff.
She loved to sit out on her back patio and we
would bbq steaks or chicken. We would Talk about Blue Devils and her family. She loved both
of those things
so much."
Robby Jacobson – "For 8+ years Gail literally created a home
away from home for me. I loved coming home
from all days and hearing her stories of how "crazy " the office was at the hall that day.
She loved the
Stanford show and no one worked harder on it than she did. She loved the Allentown
after-party that all the
corps' souvie workers had."
Roberto Tiscareno – "Gail was kind and thoughtful. I'm
grateful for all that she has done for myself, my
brother, our lost friend Eriq, and all of the alumni/volunteers she has touched over the
years."
Steve Vento – "After I aged out and until I got on staff,
I'd drop by the souvie booth whenever I could
while I was teaching with other corps and she always knew my name. She was amazing at that!!
Gail remembered
so much about you, your back story, etc.. an amazing ambassador for drum corps and just a
sweet person."
John Donovan – "Gail was the person that welcomed me into
the Blue Devils organization when my sons marched
in the early 2000's. It was her over-sized personality, her love for the corps and the kids,
and her
dedication to the organization that showed me that this was a place I should dedicate my
time to."
Teresa Saunders – "I feel so blessed to have called her a
friend and confidant. I had the pleasure of
seeing her in action and watching her welcome people when they came back around as well as
represent BDPA
throughout the community and our activity. I was always impressed at her ability to make
people feel so
welcomed and appreciated. I will miss my friend, her laugh and smile, and remember the fun
times we
shared."
Ken Honsberger – "When I was responsible for the Allentown
show and then working for DCI there was no one
more welcoming or kind as Gail. She truly knew what it was like to be on the promotion and
sponsorship side
of the activity and in my visits to California for the Concord Pavillion shows and my time
with DCI she was
always someone that I could talk to about the ideas around the promotional side of drum
corps."
Erwin Van Wengen – "Sadly I have to let you go. Blue Devils
1990 started my friendship with you. Not only
with you and your family did I have the best time of my life. I am forever grateful to you
for what you have
given me. With words I cannot describe the special place you have in my heart. With a big
smile and a tear,
I look back at all the beautiful moments we have shared together. Rest In Peace. I will
never forget
you."
Harrie Reumkins – "Twenty years ago, we were working hard to
bring the Blue Devils to the 2005 edition of
the World Music Contest. Gail was most enthusiastic about all the international
possibilities. Over the
years Gail kept the contact going, and when we were able to help DCE to bring their
championship to
Kerkrade's Parkstad Limburg Stadium Gail was there again showing that her interest lay not
only with the
Blue Devils, but with the international development of corps-style banding as such. She kept
that torch
burning until the end. She will be sadly missed."
