Obituary of Gail Doreen Jones

January 21, 1939 - October 25, 2023 

Gail was born in Bissett, MB and attended high school in Winnipeg, MB. She graduated as an RN from the Winnipeg General Hospital in 1960. In 1961 she married her high school sweetheart Ken, and they were happily together for 62 years. They moved to Vancouver where she took a Post Grad course in Operating Room Technique and Management. She and Ken then went to Regina, Saskatoon and Edmonton, settling in Calgary in 1968.

At Foothills General Hospital for over 17 years she specialized in heart surgery, where she was head of Vascular and Thoracic surgery. She then worked in heart surgery at Holy Cross Hospital until it closed in 1996. 

She always maintained strong family ties with son Brent and wife Tracey, and son Darren and wife Nina. She was very fond of her grandsons Devon, Colton, Ethan and Cole.

Gail had a passion for horses and bought her first one in 1971 and has had ten since then. She was a certified Canadian and American senior equestrian judge in Jumping, in Dressage, and in Combined Driving. She trained her own horses, showed, coached, taught clinics and judged all over. For a time, she was President of CADORA (Canadian Dressage Association). With Waterslade she won eleven local championships. D’Artagnon (Darcy) was Canadian Dressage Champion in 1991.

For the past 15 years Gail had a special relationship with Bev Wysocki, owner of Black Whiskey ranch. Together they acquired Volare, the “smartest” horse Gail ever owned. She was busy with her horses up until a year ago, when she retired from active riding because of a weak heart, at age 83. 

In mid October, although fully vaccinated, Gail caught Covid, then developed pneumonia in hospital. She passed away peacefully on October 25, 2023. 

Memorial details will be announced shortly. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Gail’s family here.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Peter Lougheed Unit 53 for taking care of Gail in her last few days. 

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, Gail has requested donations to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, WCVM Development and Alumni Relations Office University of Saskatchewan Tel: 306-966-7450 or 306-966-7268 wcvm.supportus@usask.ca

In living memory of Gail Jones, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.