Obituary: Gail Newman

March 17, 1939 – December 5, 2024 
Gail Newman fought an amazing battle to thrive and live a wildly unique ride of life. Over the years, she overcame breast cancer, a stroke, survived multiple bouts with covid, losing her final battle to a sepsis infection.
She passed on Thursday, December 5th to be with Bob, (her late husband.) In a fitting way, Gene Watson’s “Turn Out The Lights (The Party’s Over)” was playing on SiriusXM in the room while she passed. Anyone who has history with her will understand just how fitting that moment was.
She had a peaceful final day, a few hours before she passed, we had a musician visit, who played guitar and sang. Her last days and moments were filled with family and friends at her Keenesburg home. In true form, she made her end of life process interesting and very entertaining.
Gail was always on a quest for an adventure… Whether it was paying the bills, being the official Roadrunner for NEW Electric, breaking trail on a challenging horse ride, to negotiating a wild 4-wheeling sunset ride with Bob, in their vintage 47 Willy’s Jeep. She absolutely cherished her role as a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Friend, School Bus Driver and mentor to her chosen “Holiday Orphans” who were warmly welcomed with a heaping plate of delicious mostly homemade food at her table. She made an indelible impression, that many are still recovering from.
Gail established her beloved “The Yarn Shop” and “Gail Vail” needlepoint canvas and bead wholesale business. Many a story was born while crisscrossing the States selling her wares and chasing NASCAR races in her restored VW Vanagon “Old Hippie” or Class A RV. Always choosing the road less traveled, especially if there was a fabulous antique or thrift store to be perused. Speaking of oddities, Gail proudly volunteered at the ECVF Rummage Sale (Maloit Park) Furniture, Large Appliances, tools, construction and odd what-not section every August. Gail provided a keen eye and ability to price and sell the funkiest swanky sofa or antique dresser for top dollar. Many a pickup was loaded to the point of dragging the rear bumper with “Items of Beauty, Great Bargain’s” treasures and an empty wallet. Customers returned every year to shop the tent aisles and butt test the sofas under her watchful merry twinkling eyes.
Gail is survived by her son, Bill and his wife, Valeri Newman; Grandchildren; Jenilee Newman, Roxanne and husband Klinton Kramer; Great-grandchildren Kayden and Kynleigh Kramer along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister Eve and brother David. Gail, held a special place in her heart for her many friends, Paul Bennicoff, Chris Ekrem, Alicia Creek, Mike Richardson, Ken Mason, Jackie Montgomery, the Peterson’s, Lazier’s, surviving gang of the ECVF Rummage Sale and NEW Electric, The Birthday Lunch Club, all of her NASCAR race campmates, and everyone that she quietly mentored and befriended without great fanfare.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled after the snow melts, and the meadows are in bloom.
Truly a unique woman with a great lust for life.