Obituary of GRATTO – Gayle

January 22, 1943 – March 7, 2011 Gayle Gratto (nee Abrams) passed away suddenly on Monday, March 7, 2011 at the age of 68 years. She was the loving and cherished mother of daughter Megan (Mark) Beardwood of Canmore, AB and son Parker Gratto of Calgary and a proud and enthusiastic grandmother of Sage Morgan Beardwood of Canmore. Gayle is also survived by her mother Jean Abrams; sisters, Bev (Ed) Grice, Cheryl (Harry) Guittard and Donna Harris; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father Jerry Abrams; sister Dianne (Gary) Bell; brother Wade Abrams; and infant son Prentice. Gayle was born in Kingston, ON where she attended school, worked for Chown’s, Vandervoorts Hardware Store and then went on to the Ontario Hospital as a Medical Secretary. She left the hospital in 1971 when she moved to Yarker, ON where she raised her children and became involved with community service such as the local school committee and the Governor Simcoe Day committee. In addition she was a reading volunteer and took courses at Queen’s University. Later in life Gayle decided that she wanted to fulfill a life-long dream of living in Victoria, BC so she pulled up stakes and left for the West Coast in 2001. While there, she continued volunteering for community events and donating to various charities. She also travelled extensively internationally, spending time in Portugal, Morocco, Spain (multiple visits), Mexico, Manhattan, San Diego, and Seattle. She also travelled a great deal within the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. In 2008, she decided she’d like to spend more time with her two children so she moved to Calgary, AB. Gayle will be remembered as friendly, optimistic, unpretentious, perseverant and extremely loving and generous towards her children and grandchild. She will be greatly missed. A goodbye was held for close family members on Friday, March 11, 2011. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of the donor’s choice. In living memory of Gayle Gratto, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.