Gail L. Nolan passed away on Oct. 3 at the age of 78.
There will never be another Gail Nolan.
Anyone who ever met Gail heard she was the proud mother of Jacqueline (Tim) Duewell and proud grandmother of Brenna McDermott (Blake Toppmeyer).
They heard it many, many times.
She was the beloved wife of the late Edward George Perkins. She adored her brothers Joseph (Kathy) Nolan and the late Patrick Nolan.
Gail grew up with a softball glove on her hand, a beloved family pastime she played from her childhood into her 40s. She took pride in coaching her daughter’s softball team and in teaching the male coaches that she could catch any ball they threw her way, no matter how hard.
A single mother in the 1960s and 70s with no college degree, Gail carved out a career for herself at Peters-Eichler Heating and Cooling through sheer will and determination, rising up from secretary to vice president.
It was not an easy path, breaking into a male-dominated field. After a while, though, they figured out Gail could price a job better than anyone. Sure, it took a few thrown erasers to get that into their thick skulls, but eventually it sank in.
Something you just had to accept about Gail: She wanted it, she got it. Including the respect of the good ol’ boys club.
While at Peters-Eichler, she met Ed, who became her loving husband for 32 years.
Together, Gail and Ed golfed, enjoyed a stiff drink and cards, and traveled everywhere, from Hawaii to Paris. Most of all, they knew how to have a good time.
Gail lived her life boldly, like her ink-black curly hair and her penchant for colorful sports cars. She wrote and published her community newsletter and loved serving Brandy Alexanders at Christmas. She had the best cackling laugh and a sly glint in her eye when she was scheming.
Gail enjoyed WWE wrestling just as much as “The Andy Griffith Show.” She could spend hours at the blackjack table and was still on the hunt for a fair slot machine in St. Louis. She loved haggling with and wearing down car salesmen. She was not known for her cooking skills, but that’s OK because she believed ice cream cured any ailment. Mint chocolate chip, praline, vanilla. Didn’t matter. That shit healed.
A few years back, Gail was crowned the most badass grandmother of all time, a title she wore with immense pride. Literally, when rocking her “Badass Grandma” T-shirt for all to see.
She’ll hold the “Badass Grandma” title in perpetuity.
Gail blazed her own path in life. But her proudest accomplishments were her daughter and granddaughter, whom she taught to be independent, hardworking and clever.
But you already knew that, since she loved bragging about their accomplishments. They are Gail’s accomplishments, too.
To say this unconventional, exceptional woman will be missed is an understatement. The world will never be the same without our “GG.”
A private celebration of life will be planned for a later date. We would love for you to share memories of Gail in the “Add a Memory” link below.
Gail I always thought you were the coolest woman! You always had a smile and a hug for me and were such a sweetheart but fluid be a little intimidating when I was a kid! LOL! You raised an INCREDIBLE daughter who is more sister than best friend to me so thank you for her! You will truly be missed but I know you are kicking it in Heaven! Love you!