Sullivan/Kansas City, Mo.
After a long, hard battle with dementia, Gail Hastings, at the age of 72, fell asleep at her home with her loving husband and daughter by her side with images of her entire family surrounding her and awoke in the Lord’s Heavenly Gardens on Jan. 16. She was born in Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 26, 1948, the daughter of William and JoAnn (Craig) Timmerman. Gail was a generously caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, nurse, cook, seamstress, gardener, caregiver, book and reading enthusiast. Gail always had a strong love for angels. This is easily explained by the fact she was one of God’s Angels that walked among us, watching over and caring for all.
Gail leaves behind her best friend and husband for over 50 years, Brian Hastings; two daughters, Jennifer and husband, Daniel Craig, of Hancock and Kimberly and husband, Darryl Leavitt, of Eastbrook; three beloved grandchildren, Donald Craig, Aaron and Allison Leavitt, as well as an incredibly special nephew, Mike Timmerman of Massachusetts, and his daughter Gabe Timmerman; her brother John and wife, Linda Timmerman, from Texas; cousins, nieces, nephews and very dear friends she considered family. Gail was predeceased by her mother, Joann (Boyer) Wheeler, and husband Louis Wheeler (the gentleman Gail considered her Dad), her father, William Timmerman Jr., as well as her beloved grandparents.
Gail was born and grew up in Kansas City, Mo. (which in her house, you pronounced it Massoura). She would often bring up the fact she was a proud Stubborn Missouri Mule. Gail graduated high school at the age of 16. She then attended the Bethany Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, Kan., for three years. In May of 1970, Gail married Brian Hastings the day after she graduated nursing school. She then moved to Maine with Brian and began working for the Ellsworth hospital, which she stayed with for 33 years. Most of those years were spent in the office of Dr. L. Hayes, then various other departments. The last nine years of her career were spent at the Gouldsboro Clinic, where she also served on the EWDM Clinic Committee. Nursing was not just her career or job; it was Gail’s passion to care for others.
Gail was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Irene Chapter No. 97 in Ellsworth for 47 years, joining in September 1974, where she was five-time Past Matron and served as Secretary for three years. She was also Past District Deputy Grand Matron of District 14, Past President of District Deputy Grand Matron’s Association, Past Grand Ruth of the Grand Chapter of Maine and Past Grand Representative to Florida in Maine. She received the Rose Award from General Grand Chapter. She would also serve as one of the nurses at Grand Chapter. She Loved being part of the O.E.S. family. It was a huge and important part of her life. Gail was also a member of the board of directors of the Mable J. Deshon Scholarship Committee of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She served on the advisory board of Ellsworth Assembly No. 9. Gail also was the recipient of the Grand Cross of Color.
Gail had great small-town pride and loved her Sullivan community. She was a member of the Sullivan-Sorrento Recreation Center board of directors; she also genuinely enjoyed volunteering for the Sullivan Historical Society. In Gail’s spare time, you would either find her reading a book or working in one of her many gardens. Gail believed digging in the dirt was “good for the soul.” She got her love of gardening from her grandfather. She enjoyed telling stories of herself when she was a little girl in the gardens with her Poh-Poh. She would spend countless hours planting, weeding and making her plants, flowers and vegetables the best and as beautiful as they could be.
Due to current circumstances, the family has decided not to have any services at this time, however, there will be a celebration of life this summer. A flower garden has been started and will be completed in Gail’s honor at her house in Hancock.
Donations may be made in Gail’s memory to Irene Chapter No. 97, P.O. Box 389, Ellsworth, ME 04605, or go to: act.alz.org/donate, to go toward the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.