MARY GAIL WHYTE

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GAIL WHYTE October 21, 1928 - February 4, 2013 After a graceful and full life, unexpectedly Gail passed away peacefully at home on Monday, February 4, 2013. Gail was born in Winnipeg, the second daughter of Kay (McManus) and Gerald Griffin. She grew up in a beautiful home on Wellington Crescent. Family vacations with her parents and sister Anne were frequent car trips to Southern California and Mexico, and summers at Minaki. When Anne's son Steven was born, Gail was an attentive young aunt. Because they were so close in age, Gail and Steven often referred to each other as siblings. In Winnipeg, Gail attended St. Mary's Academy. At age 14 she went to the all girls high school of King's Hall in Compton, Quebec, excelling in mathematics. In 1949, through good friends Muryn Anderson and Noe Whyte, Gail met Noe's dandy brother, Bill Bobo' Whyte, when he rushed into a room and was immediately smitten with her. Bo's charismatic personality and Gail's Elizabeth Taylor-like beauty and sophistication made them a popular and attractive couple. Gail and Bill were married June 21, 1951, and lived in a few River Heights homes raising their family of one daughter and three sons before moving to Tuxedo in 1967. The family home in Tuxedo with a swimming pool and a spacious rec room quickly became known as Club 54 to the throngs of Gail's children's friends. Gail was affectionately known as the President'. Her easy manner and good sense of humour made her a popular conversationalist with her children's friends. After the too early death of her husband Bill from cancer in 1973, Gail moved to Charleswood. As her children grew and moved away, Gail's favourite companions became her dogs: Rye, Shorty, Kelly, and Airie. Gail was an avid gardener and bird-lover. Her weeping birch tree in the backyard was often filled with cedar waxwings, robins, and yellow finches. Sadly, in 1985, Gail's eldest child and only daughter, Vicki, was killed in a car accident. Vicki's two children Tim and Austin gave Gail much comfort as they grew into loving young men. Gail had two favourite places that she liked to visit: Gimli, with her beloved friend and sister-in-law, Noe Whyte Barnes, and Manzanillo, Mexico with her son Tim and his children. At home in Winnipeg, her days always had laughter during the daily visits with her son Griff and when youngest son Tony flew in from Ontario for frequent visits. Gail spent her last Christmas in Calgary with her son, Tim, and many grandchildren. She met her first great-granddaughter, Dylan, during this visit. Parties, family meals, and outings made it a wonderful visit. Gail was a kind, beautiful, gracious woman who in spite of losing so many loved ones in her life always found something to laugh about. She will be sadly missed by her three sons, Griff, Tim and Tony; eight grandchildren, Austin, Tim, Victoria, David, Tegan, Spencer, Connor, Alexis; great-granddaughter, Dylan; daughter-in-law Louise; sister-in-law Noe; and her nieces, nephews and other family and friends. Gail was predeceased by her sister, Anne Griffin Owen; her father, Gerald Griffin; her husband, Bill Whyte; her mother, Kay Griffin; her daughter Vicki Vlooswyk; and her nephew, Steven Owen. Cremation has taken place and Gail's life will be honoured and celebrated in August. In recognition of her love and compassion for all pets and dogs in particular, donations gratefully accepted by Funds for Pets directly at 26 Mariner Cres., Winnipeg, MB, R2P 0V4 or on line at www.fundsforpets.org/donate. Information on Funds for Pets can be found through their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Funds-for-Pets/299125213457045. 204-782-3541 www.kilcollinscremationservice.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 16, 2013