Geraldine N. Gayle Obituary
Geraldine ("Gerrie") Nancy Gayle, age 77, passed away peacefully in her Northbrook home with her beloved husband and daughter by her side on June 23, 2024.
Born May 20, 1947 in Chicago to Frank and Geraldine (née Campo) DeCarl, Gerrie grew up primarily in Skokie with her three sisters in a home of strong Italian Catholic heritage. The second in line of the four DeCarl girls, Gerrie was plagued with a congential heart defect at birth that she would battle nobly for the rest of her life. She graduated from Niles West High School and attained an associate's degree in legal studies at Harper College. With her first husband, Gerrie gave birth to two daughters in 1974 and 1977, respectively. In 1983, she applied for and secured a real estate paralegal/secretarial position at a small law firm in Glenview, where she met Richard L. Gayle, her boss and the man who would eventually become the love of her life. They married in 1988 and along with Richard's two daughters from his first marriage, their life together blossomed.
Gerrie and Richard approached every one of their 41 years together with gusto and a remarkably strong devotion to one another that was palpable and obvious to anyone who knew them. Working together, living together, traveling the world together, nurturing their children and beloved pets together, becoming grandparents together, they were inseparable. Everyone who knew her felt how deeply she loved being a mother and a grandmother. When she wasn't working, you would usually find her in the kitchen, skillfully and passionately preparing the most delicious meals imaginable for anyone and everyone. She always sat down at the dinner table last, selflessly making sure all others were taken care of before she could relax and enjoy the fruits of her labor herself. Gerrie was selfless to her core, and those close to her benefitted immeasurably over the decades of her life from her deep emanating love and the everlasting light that naturally poured out of her. She was always up for a laugh, trying not to take things too seriously and to make the most of every moment she was here with us. Throughout it all, Gerrie cherished her Catholic faith and Italian heritage that were so foundational in her childhood.
Gerrie/Mom/Mama G/Nonnie/Grandma is survived by her loving husband Richard of 36 years; her four daughters, Julie (Scott) Griswold. Jennifer Sherman, Kimberly (Joseph) Doucas, Jamie (Robin) Gayle; her nine grandchildren, Sam Griswold (23), Kate Griswold (21), Kelly Griswold (18), Dominic Doucas (13), Sydney Griswold (13), Cameron Doucas (11), Brady Gayle (10), Maddox Gayle (8), and Sophia Geraldine Doucas (2); her three sisters, Louise Adler, Nanette Best and Pam Campbell as well as her three beloved pets, Remy Martin, Moxie and Huck.
She will be forever missed, but never forgotten.
Visitation at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, 1240 Waukegan Rd, Glenview, from 4-8 PM on Friday, June 28, 2024, with funeral Mass on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10 AM at Sacred Heart Church (Divine Mercy Parish), 1077 Tower Rd, Winnetka.
Donations in Gerrie's honor may be made to the ASPCA (aspca.org) (https://www.aspca.org) or the American Heart Association (Heart.org). Funeral information 847-998-1020.
