I never thought I'd actually have to write this...
Gail Garis Schell, of Bern Township, daughter of John Garis
and Eleanor Sloatman, passed away peacefully at 7:20 Monday morning, April 30,
after a lengthy journey with brain cancer. Though it was a difficult time for
Gail and her family, she never complained to the very last, and kept a smile on
her face throughout.
Gail was a mom to Andy and Kaitie and a wife to Dennis, and
the cornerstone of the family, living in each moment through her unique
philosophy, which she passes on to her family and friends and to the lives of
those she touched. She had an unconditional love for her friends, for nature, and
especially for her animals – Gail leaves behind two dogs, Oatie and Lewie and
her beloved goat Buddy T. – and above all else, she lived in the service of
others.
To quote Henry Van Dyke, Gail, like a ship disappearing over
the horizon, is gone now from our sight, but “there are other eyes watching her
coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: ‘Here she comes!’”
Gail is survived by her brother John Garis of Crystal Lake,
Illinois, and her sister Martha Weidner of West Reading, and leaves behind a
loving family in her husband Dennis Schell and her two kids, Andrew and
Kaitlin.
A memorial service will be held at the Bean Funeral Home on
3825 Penn Avenue in Sinking Spring on Sunday, May 6 at 2:00pm. Family will
receive friends at noon, with the service to follow. Internment will be held at
the convenience of the family.
It’s was Gail’s wish that in lieu of sending flowers,
donations be made to either the Humane Society of Berks County (1801 North 11th
Street, Reading, PA 19604) or the Berks County Animal Rescue League (P.O. Box 69,
Mohnton, PA 19540).
