Obituary: Gail (Fontaine) Kelleher, 84, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) Gail (Fontaine) Kelleher died peacefully on Friday, April 24th and she is now reunited with her devoted and dearly beloved husband, Bob who predeceased her on May 9, 2007; they celebrated their 50th anniversary on April 6, 2007.

They resided in Wallingford in a home they had built in 1961.

Gail was born in New Haven on August 3, 1936; she was the daughter of the late James and Alice (Bevins) Fontaine. Gail graduated from James Hillhouse High School in 1954 and the Meriden Hospital School of Nursing in 1957.

Gail met Bob while she was in nursing school, shortly after he was honorably discharged from the Navy.

After marriage and graduation, she worked in the newborn nursery for 4 years before moving to Wallingford into their new home where they started their family.

When she returned to work, she worked for more than 30 years in long term care facilities; she retired from Regency House of Wallingford in 1998 due to illness.

Gail and Bob loved to travel and would plan all their trips together. Vermont and Maine were their favorites for long weekends and there were many trips to Quebec, Montreal, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Maritime Provinces of Canada.

There were also trips to Holly Hills, Florida to visit Gail’s brother, Bob and family. The couple also enjoyed gardening, antiquing and restoring furniture together, especially chairs; Gail enjoyed weaving many seats in the Shaker style.

She also enjoyed folk art and painting; together with Bob, they stenciled their home. Gail also enjoyed sewing and quilting; she shared over 20 quilts with her family over the years.

Gail is survived by her sons, Michael and Robert, both of Wallingford; her beloved grandchildren, Lindsey, Jacob, Jennifer, Kimberly and Corporal Shane Kelleher U.S.M.C., who served in Afganistan in 2010 and 2011.

She also leaves behind her devoted and caring friends, Jane Braccioforte, Nancy Keilty and Beverly Henderson; her dear niece, Susan Rambis and her kind and caring dad, Ted Rambis; a special nephew, Timothy Grime; a great-grandson, Jamison Patrick, son of Shane and Samantha Kelleher, as well as many extended family members and friends.

She also had a very special friendship with the late Sister of Mercy, Sister Ancillata Lengel, whom she met at the Midstate Cancer Care Center several years ago, she then met Sisters Anne and Ann; she was thankful for all the kindness, comfort and care they gave to her over the years, especially in their many prayers for Shane.

In addition to her beloved husband, Gail was predeceased by her cherished son, Kevin Kelleher as well as her brothers, Robert and James Fontaine.

Gail’s family would like to thank Dr. Rajani Nadkarni and all her staff for the excellent care and compassion shown over the years.

In accordance with her wishes, all services for Gail will be held privately. She will be placed next to her late husband and son at In Memoriam Cemetery in Wallingford. Arrangements are under the direction of The Wallingford Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org/donate.

To share a memory of Gail or leave of message of comfort for her family, please visit www.wallingfordfh.com.