Obituary of Gail Ann Buck

BUCK: Gail Ann Buck of Brandon passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at the age of 64 years. Gail was born in Arborfield, Saskatchewan on June 16, 1950. She grew up in Lynn Lake, MB, moving there with her family in 1955. 1968 was an important year for Gail, it was the year she graduated high school and married Dave on August 24th. Over the years they resided in many northern communities such as Thompson, The Pas, Snow Lake, Wabowden, Leaf Rapids, and Gypsumville, where Dave was stationed as a Conservation Officer. They spent 26 years on an acreage a few miles from The Pas, until their retirement in 2006. After working and living most of their lives in northern Manitoba they moved to Brandon, as Gail wanted to experience life in the city. As the eldest child, Gail began helping her mom look after her younger siblings at a very young age. She took this role very seriously, but did find the time to develop other interests. She taught herself to play the guitar and sing before her teen years. She enjoyed running, basketball, skating and curling during high school. She developed a love of dogs that continued throughout her life. After she was married she began making doll clothes and afghans and most notably she became an incredible cook. Her home was always the gathering place for family and friends during the holidays. Walking was her passion and even more so after retirement. Camping and fishing was a part of her life in the north and she spent many summers at "the cabin", although she always insisted staying no more than a month each trip. Gail took business administration at Keewatin Community College in the early 1970's, and for 10 years she took courses by correspondence while working full time and looking after her family. At the age of 50 she achieved her proudest educational achievement, her Certified Management Accounting designation on August 21, 2000. Gail began dabbling in the working world as a teenager by earning money babysitting for her neighbors and worked summers at the local Hudson's Bay Store. After she married, she worked as a legal assistant for a local law firm in The Pas, and later as a payroll officer for the School Division. She then began her career with the RHA, first as an administrative assistant at St Paul's Residence, then as an assistant accounting clerk. Shortly after receiving her accounting designation, she took a job as the Regional Financial Comptroller, until her retirement in 2006, traveling between The Pas, Flin Flon, and Snow Lake. Gail was giving and liked to volunteer her time. After retiring in Brandon, Gail began her volunteer work with the meals on wheels program, and the volunteer tax program at the 7th Street Access Centre. Her personal goal each year was 100 tax returns, and she reached that goal many times. Gail also served as a director for the Condo Corporation for a few years, and worked as the returning officer for Brandon West during the last provincial election. She was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother throughout her life. She enjoyed reading, as well as music and continued her love of math and numbers with Sudoku, scrabble, and doing tax returns for her grandchildren, and friends. Gail will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 46 years, David, daughter Julie (Clinton) Fothergill of Swan River, son Jamie (Samantha) Buck of Edson, Alberta, mother Margaret Wilson of Brandon, step-mother Janet Freeman (Steve) of Sandy Lake, sisters Marlene (John)Bates of Kelowna, British Columbia, Kendra (Hugh) McFadyen of Swan River, Corinne Edwards of Brandon, brothers Edward (Jamie) Freeman of Winnipeg, Lorne (Lisa) Freeman of Brandon, Grandchildren, Jenna (Riley) Metcalfe of Brandon, Shayla Bardarson of Brandon, Chloe Bardarson of Swan River, Braydon Fothergill of Swan River, Stephanie Buck of Edson, Alberta, Sara Buck of Edson, Alberta. Gail was predeceased by her infant daughter Coreen, and father Jim Freeman. A service of remembrance was held to celebrate Gail's life at the Brockie Donovan Chapel on Monday, December 29, 2014 with The Very Rev. Nigel Packwood of St. Matthew's Cathedral officiating. A private family placement of Gail's urn will take place at the Brandon Cemetery Columbarium at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2014. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gail may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation "Palliative Care," 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B3.