Auburn - Gail Phoenix of Auburn, Maine, left gently, surrounded by her family on Friday morning January 28th at The Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn, Maine. Gail was born January 6, 1949 in New Jersey, the daughter of Richard and Jessie Phoenix. She grew up in Iowa with three sisters and one brother. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in History and Education. She moved to Maine with her husband and daughter in 1979, where she worked for York - Cumberland Housing and then the City of Auburn. Her work was always to assist with housing and community needs so that people of Maine could have better lives. Of the grants she wrote totaling over 3.2 million, she was most proud to secure funding to develop the Boys & Girls Club in Auburn. Before moving to Auburn, Gail resided in Gray for 20 years where she was an active member of the Town Council and Planning Board. In the late '80's, she was appointed by Gov. McKernan to serve on the Maine Affordable Housing Task Force and create a statewide plan. In Auburn, she served on the Comprehensive Plan Committee, Auburn Democrats and the Board of Directors of Community Concepts, Inc. She loved music and her time as flutist with the Auburn Community Band. She loved to travel, play bridge, and spend time going to movies, plays and concerts with friends. She was a history buff, reading voraciously in that genre. She is survived by her only child, Jackie Walker, her grandchild, Logan, as well as sisters Peg Payne and husband Lonnie of CA, Nancy Reed and husband Martin of IA, Barbara Phoenix and husband Thomas Mahoney of CT and brother Jim Phoenix of CA. They, as well as her nieces and nephews, and her wealth of friends will dearly miss her generous nature and sense of humor. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with Gail's family by visiting their guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com
Funeral Notice: Phoenix, Gail 1/28/11. Visitation Fortin Group / AUBURN Mon. 4-7.
A funeral service will take place in the funeral home on Tues. 10:30 AM.
Those wishing may make donations in Gail's memory to The Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice 236 Stetson Rd. Auburn, ME 04210 or to Gail's Relay for Life Team "The Phoenix Rises." Donations for the relay team can be sent to American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.
A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, 217 Turner St. AUBURN, 783-8545.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 19, 2012
jim phoenix
To Gail & all those kind enough to write. I miss my sister and all the good times in Maine. She did a lot for me as she did for all. Nice to see how broad her reach was and nice to hear all your rememberences.
Jimbro (my sign off was given to me by Gail. I will always have that!)
February 11, 2012
Sherrie Baker
How beautifully Heather's poem captures the essence of Gail's wonderful influence on all of us. She is deeply missed.
January 12, 2012
That is a lovely poem,thanks Heather. It is an ache which I carry; stirred into the pot that is my daily life with the joys, smells, flavors which Gail so savored.
A couple of weeks ago it dawned on me that the most enduring and enriching community of which I have been privileged to be a part has been irrevocably altered by her death. The community of siblings is a cherished community that runs deep - and now its course has been changed and the channel is narrower. But I love this community and I want to work harder to keep this community bright, joy-filled, and strong - knit together in love. I am grateful to Gail for all she has added to my life- and I am grateful for my brother and 2 sisters as well. I am truly blessed.
January 11, 2012
Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to share a healing poem that Heather (our daughter and Gail's niece) wrote for me on Gail's birthday (January 6th) - a particularly difficult day for me this year, as I'm sure it was for other family members and friends. The poem is so touching, and brings me to tears, cleansing tears, each time I read it. It makes me realize what joy Gail gave to so many in her life, and how lucky we were to have her in ours. What fun she was! I miss her enthusiastic embrace of each and every day and her infectious sense of humor. I believe she left ripples in the ocean so to speak, as the lives she touched continue to spread the love she instilled in them/us. I think we honor her by trying to be the best people we can be - she was a shining example.
Heather's poem:
my love for her whispers and swirls
in, under, and around browned pine needles in early winter
Dreams of warm light filling the Sebago lake kitchen
I, only six in age milling at the height of her hips
took in each collectible coffee mug
lining the shelves within my reach.
The smell of the mud room when we arrived to Maine,
filling my lungs like overfilled ziploc bags of goldfish won from a carnival -
waiting to open the door just behind the sound of the wooden dew drop chime
Aunt Gail would scoop me up to say "Y'ello!"
Taboo, ice skating, polish poker, and cross country skiing -
me falling behind the rest of the cousins
eagerly trying to catch up so as
not to miss
One
Second
of fun.
Canoe trips to the rope swing, sand bar,
and her auburn curly hair floating in the Maine summer breeze.
Tarot cards and zucchini bread, the other hugs she gave
all memories that now must nourish me in her absence.
Since she's passed, it seems like the holiday's are less alive,
the cultured trips she'd put together
they seem no longer
and our are hearts have gotten a little weaker from it all.
It simply doesn't make sense that she's gone,
that her special laugh is simply an echo in my mind,
But I can see her in my sleep
Soldering my fond memories and my sadness for her leaving
into a stained glass window for me to see the future in brilliant kaleidoscope
to keep me at peace till we meet again.
-Heather Mahoney-
October 13, 2011
Barbara Jabaut
I passed Gail's house yesterday and see that a sale sign has now appeared. On the occasions I pass her home, I always think of her, as well as on Wednesday nights. We are rehearsing Christmas music in band now. This year she isn't here with me to do so. I will particularly think of her, Jackie, and Logan when we play at D'Ouville this year....the last time Gail played with the band, especially so Logan could see and hear her do so and perhaps remember.
October 12, 2011
Marge Petesch
I discovered only today that Gail had passed! She and I were the best of friends in high school back in Iowa and I had tried, unsuccessfully, to contact her in the last 3-4 years. What a sad reality to discover that before we could reconnect in any meaningful way, she is gone. I will miss her more than words can express. Peg, Jim, Nancy (even Barb, although I think you were very young when Gail and I were hanging together). . . if any one of you would contact me, I'd be grateful.
I've been writing fiction novels in my 'spare time' while keeping my day job and, with my husband, building our farm house out in Chatham County, NC.
I can't believe she's gone. While we hadn't connected in years, I miss her terribly. And don't you know I wanted to ask her if it was all right to use her persona in one of my novels! God bless & keep her -- she was a very good, loyal friend.
Marge (Kinney) Petesch
[email protected]
September 20, 2011
Morning Gail - Fall begins tomorrow - the 1st Fall without you in it to enjoy the wild colors, the smell of the air, and the cool temps. I watched Public Television yesterday. It was a documentary about the need for affordable housing, and I thought of you. It's 18 months til a national election - in Iowa it's 14 months till the Iowa Caucuses - and I thought of all the political conversations I will miss because you aren't here. Oh I wish I could hear your comments about Rick Perry! Ha!!!! I miss you a lot - Love ya - sister Nance
September 1, 2011
I haven't been on this site in quite awhile. It was too painful to do so. It's strange how the grief can hit you at unexpected times, when you're unprepared for a wave of grief. No, not a wave, it's more like a tsunami - one that slams you down and you feel like you're drowning. It still doesn't seem real, and I want to just call her and say "Hi there Gail!" I miss her so much. I miss her optimistic, energetic loving ways. I can't even adequately describe how much I miss her. It's just a sick feeling that won't go away.
Missing you Gail. Love, sister Barb
August 30, 2011
Vicki McGrath Hannasch
I am so sad and shocked to learn about Gail. I so remember the fun days at UNI and then on to ISU. We may not have ended on the best note at the end of our college years but we always kept in touch. My sympathy to her daughter and brother and sisters. It was always such fun to get her letters and catch up on her life. I will miss her so much...
April 20, 2011
Barbara Jabaut
Gail, I miss you in band and sharing our music together. Someone new is next to me and sharing, but it is not you...doesn't feel the same and at times I feel like crying at your absence. Quote Jack Lemmon: "Death ends a life, not a relationship." I smile whenever I see a music notation that I know you wrote....you are there with me then.
April 20, 2011
joan selfridge
Dear Gail,
I love the earings that you gave me. Very fitting and and perfect. Gold and Silver to represent our friendship. We are old friends and new friends as our lives moved on. Everywhere I look I see you. The blanket on the bed (a wedding gift - 28 yrs ago); A picture that you took(30 yrs ago); Earings;sweatshirts;hats,necklaces;daylillies; All that I bought on our various trips. I will truly miss those great times, but how fortunate to have spent them with you. Good friends make life much better and with your passing it has made me much more aware to cherish my friends even more, making time for those special moments.
April 18, 2011
Dear Sis - April 29th, 2011, this guest book was was scheduled to cease, and I couldn't let this tiny part of you go. So I re-upped it for a year. I still need to talk with you, and this is as good as it gets. It is a perfect night for one of our conversations - yacking about everything from faith, to movies, to TV shows, to Dems and gops and good books and art and music. It's cold, blustery and rainy and we could be curled up in our chairs, miles apart, and talking on the phone. God! I miss our conversations! I miss your voice - the way you answer the phone - 'Yello!" I miss hearing about the people you work with - I miss the way you think. I miss the way you used to look at me like you were proud of me - like I was proud and in awe of you. I miss your face. Tonight - I can't believe you are gone. Didn't want you to think I had forgotten about you - or were past grieving over my loss of you, because I haven't. I Love ya - Nance
March 10, 2011
Hey Gail - Sure miss ya. Life moves on. Too soon I am swept up into the demands and obligations of life and I don't have the time to rest in my loss of you until all are in bed asleep. Then memories of your humor, your passions, the works of your hands - your flute (Stars & Stripes Forever, I Dream of Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair), the stained glass work, the gardening, and the letters you wrote - all come to mind. And then I weep over all of the beauty that is lost to the world because you are gone. You have left a formidable legacy in the world, and that is good. I miss the singular goodness that was you. I really miss you. Love you muchly - Nance
February 23, 2011
Barb Phoenix
What a lovely tribute this is - thanks to everyone who took the time to add a note. It has been heartwarming, and a comfort to see all of the comments.
February 11, 2011
Love you Gail and miss you lots. Isn't a time where I don't think, "Gees, I need to call Gail" to share a joke, sing a little ditty into your voicemail, or talk about local and world events and rant about conservatives. I miss your face and I miss your voice. Nance
February 7, 2011
Vikki (Haning) Herbold
Nearly all of my most vivid memories growing up in Bondurant involve the Phoenix family. They were my extended family. Gail's younger sister Nancy & I were best friends and to this day when we talk, it feels the same.
It doesn't surprise me at all to hear of all the good that Gail accomplished in her much too short life. When she would babysit for my brothers and me, we were not only entertained & loved, but made to feel we were the most important part of her day. My sincere sympathies to all of Gail's family. May God hold you all very closely in the days ahead.
February 3, 2011
Nancy Reed
February 2, 2011
Gail's family are in our thoughts and prayers. "The Lord is my rock and my salvation." Jim and Marlene (Ault) Valentine, Bondurant, Iowa.
February 1, 2011
T.J. Martzial
Words are difficult here. I worked off and on with Gail for years (decades!) in Community Development in Maine and always enjoyed our interactions, car pooling to Manchester, etc. Rest in Peace Gail.
February 1, 2011
Laurie Kennie
It was a pleasure knowing Gail. May she rest in peace.
February 1, 2011
Mark Adams
I worked with Gail for many years at the City of Auburn. I always found her to be compassionate for others and passionate about those issues and people she so strongly believed in. She provides a wonderful example and lesson to many.
Peace and grace to Gail and her family.
February 1, 2011
Bob Mennealy
Gailwas a kind , compassionate,talented,and efficient City of Auburn employeethat I wasw lucky enough to knowand work with during my 3 terms as anAuburn city councilor a a and she will be be genuinely missed by all social communities that were lucky enough to have her as a member
! Bob Mennealy
February 1, 2011
joan selfridge
Jackie,
I will very much miss your mom. We shared many great times together and she always kept me up to date with what you were doing. I was so happy to hear that you returned to Maine and that you are engaged to a wonderful man. I did so want to connect with you at the funeral, but the weather did not cooperate. Could you possibly drop me a line to my e-mail and let me know the best way to get in touch with you? Your mom was a spectacular individual. My life was blessed to have known her. Good luck with everything that follows. I hope to connect with you soon.
January 31, 2011
Hal & Sherry Barter
January 31, 2011
Linda Hardacker
To the family of Gail - Community Development has lost a caring and hard working friend. She was an inspiration to me and will be missed.
January 31, 2011
Chris Fenimore
Gail and I graduated from high school together in Bondurant, Iowa during 1967. She was an exceptional student, a very good athlete and accomplished flutist. I remember her most for her gentle, quiet and caring personality and her beautiful, thick auburn hair. We journeyed in different directions to college after high school, but stayed in touch for a few years thereafter. Life continued took take us down our separate paths and we eventually lost touch with one another. As I read the many comments posted here in her memory, it becomes quite obvious to me that she really had not changed much at all. Gail was a fine lady and I am fortunate to have had the privilege of knowing her.
Chris Fenimore
Attorney, Terre Haute, Indiana
January 31, 2011
We feel fortunate to have known the Phoenix family through your years at Bondurant and Bondurant-Farrar High School. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you celebrate Gail's well-lived life.
Marvin & Shelby Skinner, Bondurant, Iowa
January 31, 2011
I will remember Gail as the lovely woman who always brought fresh flowers from her garden to Auburn Hall, which she shared in the beautiful arrangements she placed in our common area. The flowers would appear early in the spring and until the last possible moment in the fall. I did not know her well, but in our brief acquaintance she impressed me as a gentle, caring, optimistic person.
She will be missed by many.
Juliette Dzija, Auburn Adult Education
January 31, 2011
Gail will be sorely missed. Hundreds of children's lives in the Lewiston/Auburn area have been made safer through Gail's work in housing and lead poisoning prevention. Over the years Gail has been a stalwart champion of the communities of Lewiston and Auburn for which she helped obtain Lead Hazard Control Grants for these communities which totaled approximately four million dollars. She was a charter member of the Maine Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Council. As members of the council we will miss her insights, diligence and humor.
-Susan Lee, Tina Bernier, Eric Frohmberg, and Joe Robinson
January 31, 2011
Melissa Cox
I am so sorry for your lost She was a very nice lady I was on the board of Directors for Community Concepts, she will be sadly missed. Melissa Cox
January 31, 2011
Janet
Peace be with you!
January 31, 2011
Deb Trenoweth
Thoughts are with Gail and her family.
January 30, 2011
David Galbraith
I had the honor of knowing, working with, and being friends and with Gail for the past 10 years when I started working for the City of Auburn. I was fortunate enough to work closely with Gail on numerous projects and where she always added a huge amount of value by her passion, dedication, intelligence, professionalism, knowledge and compassion. Gail was a valued employee and coworker and our community, and the individuals, she tirelessly served, benefitted by her intense self sacrifice. She will be missed for her hard work, commitment to the community and mostly for the compassion and assistance she provided her clients who undoubtedly benefited greatly from her exemplary service. I have been honored to work with Gail and to call her a valued friend. I will especially miss our conversations about community planning, helping those less fortunate and especially her love of gardening. Gail was a person of the highest integrity, moral values and compassion and her friends and our community will certainly feel the loss of such an outstanding person, mother and humanitarian. I feel completely humbled and privileged to have been friends with Gail and to have worked side by side with such an exemplary humanitarian. Each of us should reflect on our own lives and try to live up to the outstanding example Gail displayed on a day to day basis.
Gail I am honored to have known you as you most certainly enhanced my life like the so many people’s lives you touched and enhanced. With love, honor and the highest respect.
January 30, 2011
Dottie Perham-Whittier
I am so glad that I have known Gail. She was a member of the Lewiston-Auburn CA$H Coalition representing the City of Auburn. She was at meetings until a short time before her passing, always looking to make a difference. She will be missed.
January 30, 2011
I was in the Auburn Community Band as a flutist/piccolo player with Gail and loved her so much! She always had a smile on her face and was always very interested about how I was doing each time she saw me. I remember one year for my birthday she made some me stained glass ornaments in which 1 was an angel playing the flute. Gail has left us but now she is in heaven and is that angel playing the flute. Love you and thanks for the memories! You will be missed dearly.
Shelley Cassette (Morin)
January 30, 2011
It was a pleasure to meet and work with Gail on the Turner Project along with my daughter Tammy Nosek! My thoughts and prayers are with Gail's family and friends! Gail was an exceptional lady to all who were lucky enough in life to have met her! Diane Milligan, Rumford,Maine
January 30, 2011
Joan Selfridge
Gail and I began our friendship 35 years ago. We shared many experiences and life's up and downs together. Gail has always been a true friend to me, always there willing to talk, offer advice, and add a bit of humor. I will miss our great trips together exploring new places and sharing of life events. I have been blessed to have had such a great friend.
January 30, 2011
Family was everything to Gail, and she loved being someone's Auntie. Here she is enjoying her nephew Ben's wedding and his new wife, Tera, in Huxley, IA.
January 30, 2011
Tammy Nosek
I had the honor of working with Gail over the past two years on one of her most recent success stories. Her goal was to find a way to provide an opportunity for a local quadrapeligic to live independantly through home ownership with a lift system. Her strength and committment towards this cause is what convinced the American Society of Civil Engineers to join forces with Gail and help make her hope a reality. We all from the ASCE Mid Hudson Branch here in New York would like to send our deepest sympathies to Gail's family and friends. We will miss her greatly. Her spirit will live on in our hearts and her memory will continue on over the years to come through the Turner Project. You did it Gail....YOU did it!
January 30, 2011
Barb Phoenix
Adding more photos for all to enjoy. These are from Ben and Tera's wedding.
January 30, 2011
Katrina & Dana Carstensen
Jackie,The memories that Dana and I have of our years at Little Sebago will always be the best. We are thinking of you. Please know that Dana and I are here if you need us and I pray that you find the strengh to carry on with all the duties that are yours to carry out. "Don't worry..be Happy!!"
Love to you Jackie, always! Kate
January 30, 2011
Barbara Jabaut
I will miss Gail sitting next to me, sharing music and stand, playing flute together in the Auburn Community Band as we have done so most every week for the last 15+ years. Peace.
January 30, 2011
Ben and Tera Reed
January 30, 2011
Susan Paige
To the family of Gail - I was in the Auburn Community Band with Gail. She was a true lady and friend - always willing to help or offer a suggestion to a problem. The saying is true - only the good die young. I have since moved to Florida in September of 09, but Gail was so very happy to be a grandmother. I am so very sorry for your loss of this special woman. Sue Stevens Paige
January 30, 2011
Ben and Tera Reed
Celebrating a life well lived. We will love you and miss you always.
January 30, 2011
Mary
You did so very much for our community and those of us who had little hope of owning our own homes. You were that gentle warrior who inspired us to meet the challenges and to do so with dignity. I will remember you. Thank you Gail.
January 30, 2011
Sherrie Baker
My memories of Gail will always be of someone who was willing to lend a bright smile and helping hand to anyone in need. I realize that Gail touched so many lives and that there are many people throughout Maine and elsewhere who share that warm remembrance. Few people have made the kind of far-reaching difference that Gail has made in this world. She has been an inspiration to us all. My heart goes out to Gail's family and friends and all who were so fortunate to have Gail in their lives.
January 29, 2011
Amy Chelesnik
January 29, 2011
Amy Chelesnik
January 29, 2011
Amy Chelesnik
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