Gail  Schwab

Obituary of Gail Allison Schwab

June 19, 1947 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
November 11, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Gail Allison Schwab (nee Brackenbury) passed away peacefully in Calgary, AB on November 11, 2020 after a lengthy battle with dementia at the age of 73 years.

Gail was born in Saskatoon, SK on June 19, 1947, and was raised in Cut Knife, SK. She attended the University of Saskatchewan where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and a diploma in Education, graduating in 1969. Gail then moved to Calgary where she taught at several schools in the public education system, retiring from Hawkwood Elementary in 2009 after a 40-year career. For many years, Gail taught English as a Second Language to students new to Canada, an experience she loved. Gail was dedicated to her teaching career and felt a great loss to have to give it up.

Gail married Otfried Schwab in 1973 and they were together until 1987. They loved to travel, particularly through Europe, and also enjoyed skiing, hiking, camping, cycling, and playing tennis. Gail’s favourite place to be was in the mountains. She loved entertaining, especially hosting dinner parties for her friends. Gail also had a lifelong love of music, learning the piano and saxophone at a young age and later taking up the flute, as well as singing in the church choir throughout her school years.

She is survived by her special friend Michael Kreshewski; brother-in-law Ray Morrison; niece Kim (Mike) Hallas and their children Taylor (Jared), Shaun (Derrian), Landon, and Mitchell; niece Michelle Morrison (James Wagner) and her children Josh (Tamara) Plamondon and Travis (Bekah) Plamondon; as well as six great-great nieces and nephews and several cousins. She is also fondly remembered by her dear friends, many of her friendships dating back to her childhood in Cut Knife and from her university days in Saskatoon. Gail was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Margaret Brackenbury; her sister Joanne Morrison; and her former husband Otto Schwab. 

Gail’s family is forever grateful for the care that she received while a resident at Scenic Acres, Wentworth Manor, and Bethany Riverview.

Memorial Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Gail’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. To honour Gail’s dedication to children and literacy a donation may be made in her memory to Calgary Reads (https://calgaryreads.com).  Gail will be laid to rest with her mother at St. Margaret's Anglican Church at Eagle Butte, AB at a later date.  

In living memory of Gail Schwab, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200
 

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