4
trees
planted in memory of Gail A. Wallin
Obituary for Gail A. Wallin
When Gail Wallin and husband Pete left New York for Florida in 1971, they did so with the intention of offering a better life for their three young children: Linda, Scott and Diane.
It was obvious after purchasing a house in Ormond Beach that their goal was accomplished. It wasn’t just a house – it became a home and Gail was the heartbeat behind it all. Pete and Gail set an example of working hard and stressing the importance of education and they did so from the loving and supportive home they created.
Their calling card was the holidays and while Pete did his work on the outside with decorations for all occasions, Gail’s touch was obvious on the inside for every holiday. It wasn’t uncommon for the kids to come home from school and see decorations hung in the windows and knickknacks spread across the home, even for Thanksgiving.
No holiday was forgotten, and Gail made sure every last one was properly celebrated, which often included her wonderful culinary touch.
Christmas, understandably, was the culminating, “Super Bowl” moment of the year and Gail adeptly blended cuisine from her German heritage with Pete’s Swedish roots. German potato salad was served alongside Swedish meatballs, and it all made for a delicious melting pot.
While the holidays held their prominence, nothing compared to the numerous birthday celebrations at the Ormond Beach house. Every birthday involved plenty of friends, presents, a sheet-long cake and the traditional birthday candle that required the burning of the year that had just passed.
Each birthday also included Gail accommodating a special dinner request, with many celebrations featuring her spectacular lasagna. Linda, Scott and Diane each felt their special day was celebrated beyond expectations, with Mom making all of the magic – and lasagna – happen.
Pete and Gail were proud of the fact each child graduated from college and went on to achieve success in their respective careers. She also was proud to see each one has enjoyed a happy marriage with spouses Craig (Linda), Leah (Scott) and Mike (Diane).
These marriages all made it possible for Gail to experience the true heartbeat of her life. Make that seven heartbeats, as in seven grandchildren. While Gail truly loved her three children, there was just something extra special about the love she felt for Christopher, Kyle, Carson, Shea, Devyn, Megan and Robby. While the grandkids would often try to get her to admit who her favorite was, it was very clear it was a seven-way tie for first place in her heart.
Just like she did with Linda, Scott and Diane, Gail was present at as many of the grandkids’ sporting, school and club activities as possible, cheering and supporting each one with all of her heart. In a letter that was read after her passing, Gail wrote of how “precious” the grandchildren were to her and how proud she was of each one.
Continuing her Ormond Beach tradition, her Winter Springs home became the hub for all three families to gather to celebrate the grandkids’ special days. And, yes, her lasagna was broadly embraced by this next generation! Also, true to form, every grandchild always received a birthday card with money inside, as well as cards for every holiday. She never forgot anyone – including her sons- and daughter-in-law – and kept a large calendar in her kitchen cabinet to keep it all straight.
Gail certainly had some memorable vices, among them white wine and Klondike bars. She also was a loyal Lotto player and, not surprisingly, played weekly numbers that corresponded with her family’s birthdays and anniversaries. She often spoke of how “when” she’d win, she’d share it with everyone.
Gail loved a good coupon and was fanatical about getting her 10-percent AARP discount at Outback, not to mention free McDonald’s senior coffee. She enjoyed gardening and especially loved the various Christmas cactus plants that adorned her patio in pots.
Gail often lamented the fact she got to enjoy these treasured moments without the love of her life, Pete, at her side. Pete died at 55 in 1991 from heart disease and many hearts were broken that day when we lost him, none bigger than Gail’s. She first laid eyes on Pete as a teenager while he was next door doing masonry work. It was love at first sight for Gail and Pete certainly felt the same way once her gazes from afar led to an in-person meeting. They enjoyed 32 years of marriage, their true love always evident to their children and others.
Gail was only 51 when Pete died and she never had interest in another relationship, often saying nobody could top Pete. The family is filled with joy they are reunited in heaven.
Gail will be missed by her family and friends. The holidays and birthdays will never be the same. There will be constant reminders every time, every year to come of the great impact and, more important, amount of love she poured into every single one, all with the goal of creating lasting memories for her family.
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It was obvious after purchasing a house in Ormond Beach that their goal was accomplished. It wasn’t just a house – it became a home and Gail was the heartbeat behind it all. Pete and Gail set an example of working hard and stressing the importance of education and they did so from the loving and supportive home they created.
Their calling card was the holidays and while Pete did his work on the outside with decorations for all occasions, Gail’s touch was obvious on the inside for every holiday. It wasn’t uncommon for the kids to come home from school and see decorations hung in the windows and knickknacks spread across the home, even for Thanksgiving.
No holiday was forgotten, and Gail made sure every last one was properly celebrated, which often included her wonderful culinary touch.
Christmas, understandably, was the culminating, “Super Bowl” moment of the year and Gail adeptly blended cuisine from her German heritage with Pete’s Swedish roots. German potato salad was served alongside Swedish meatballs, and it all made for a delicious melting pot.
While the holidays held their prominence, nothing compared to the numerous birthday celebrations at the Ormond Beach house. Every birthday involved plenty of friends, presents, a sheet-long cake and the traditional birthday candle that required the burning of the year that had just passed.
Each birthday also included Gail accommodating a special dinner request, with many celebrations featuring her spectacular lasagna. Linda, Scott and Diane each felt their special day was celebrated beyond expectations, with Mom making all of the magic – and lasagna – happen.
Pete and Gail were proud of the fact each child graduated from college and went on to achieve success in their respective careers. She also was proud to see each one has enjoyed a happy marriage with spouses Craig (Linda), Leah (Scott) and Mike (Diane).
These marriages all made it possible for Gail to experience the true heartbeat of her life. Make that seven heartbeats, as in seven grandchildren. While Gail truly loved her three children, there was just something extra special about the love she felt for Christopher, Kyle, Carson, Shea, Devyn, Megan and Robby. While the grandkids would often try to get her to admit who her favorite was, it was very clear it was a seven-way tie for first place in her heart.
Just like she did with Linda, Scott and Diane, Gail was present at as many of the grandkids’ sporting, school and club activities as possible, cheering and supporting each one with all of her heart. In a letter that was read after her passing, Gail wrote of how “precious” the grandchildren were to her and how proud she was of each one.
Continuing her Ormond Beach tradition, her Winter Springs home became the hub for all three families to gather to celebrate the grandkids’ special days. And, yes, her lasagna was broadly embraced by this next generation! Also, true to form, every grandchild always received a birthday card with money inside, as well as cards for every holiday. She never forgot anyone – including her sons- and daughter-in-law – and kept a large calendar in her kitchen cabinet to keep it all straight.
Gail certainly had some memorable vices, among them white wine and Klondike bars. She also was a loyal Lotto player and, not surprisingly, played weekly numbers that corresponded with her family’s birthdays and anniversaries. She often spoke of how “when” she’d win, she’d share it with everyone.
Gail loved a good coupon and was fanatical about getting her 10-percent AARP discount at Outback, not to mention free McDonald’s senior coffee. She enjoyed gardening and especially loved the various Christmas cactus plants that adorned her patio in pots.
Gail often lamented the fact she got to enjoy these treasured moments without the love of her life, Pete, at her side. Pete died at 55 in 1991 from heart disease and many hearts were broken that day when we lost him, none bigger than Gail’s. She first laid eyes on Pete as a teenager while he was next door doing masonry work. It was love at first sight for Gail and Pete certainly felt the same way once her gazes from afar led to an in-person meeting. They enjoyed 32 years of marriage, their true love always evident to their children and others.
Gail was only 51 when Pete died and she never had interest in another relationship, often saying nobody could top Pete. The family is filled with joy they are reunited in heaven.
Gail will be missed by her family and friends. The holidays and birthdays will never be the same. There will be constant reminders every time, every year to come of the great impact and, more important, amount of love she poured into every single one, all with the goal of creating lasting memories for her family.
To plant a tree in memory of Gail A. Wallin, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Funeral
Saturday
7
May
3:00 PM
Banfield Funeral Home & Crematory
420 W. State Road 434
Winter Springs, FL 32708
Graveside
Monday
9
May
10:30 AM
Shady Rest Cemetery
1650 Moravia Avenue
Holly Hill, FL 32117
Cemetery Details
Location
Shady Rest Cemetery
1650 Moravia Avenue
Holly Hill, FL 32117
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