WESTFIELD – Gail Rameau. November 11, 1950 – October 21, 2013. The world lost a friend today. If you are reading this, and you weren’t Gail’s friend, it is only because she hadn’t had time to meet you yet. Gail lived an incredibly unusual life and defied every stereotype. She was an absolutely brilliant woman who was placed in an institution for people with intellectual disabilities. She did not fit society’s image of beauty yet she radiated beauty, inside and out. She lived on a fixed income and yet managed to give generous gifts to everyone she knew. Allergic to animals, she loved pets and lived with them whenever she could. She was challenged by several life-threatening illnesses yet lived into her early sixties. Gail lived her early life at Belchertown State School. It was there that she met her first, best, and most devoted friend Mary Ann Brennen, who Gail cheerfully called “MAB.” MAB was Gail’s cheerleader, travel agent, confidant, coach and life long best friend. Gail left Belchertown State School when she was in her mid-twenties. She and her friend Diane Skorupski decided to rent an apartment together. They shared an apartment together on Conz Street in Northampton for many years. They embraced their freedom, they lived life to the fullest and were very happy. Diane passed away in 2007.
In August of 1999, Gail moved to Westfield to live with Jeanne and Arthur Valis and their family. This would begin the last chapter of Gail’s life. Jeanne’s daughter, Terry Presby, and Jeanne’s grandson, Ryan Desrosiers, also moved in. Ryan was only two years old. For the first time, Gail truly experienced life with a family. This included her enormous joy of watching Ryan grow from a small child to a young man. Ryan will miss Gail deeply. Gail also became very close to Arthur, and she was heart-broken when he died in 2008.
She was always willing to help others. Over the years all her friends all knew to expect a firm reminder from her to be just a little more generous. If she was demanding, it was usually in an effort to provide help to someone else who needed it, or, honestly, to wrestle a favor for herself. Gail had the gift of living her life where ever she was, and with who ever she was with. She had a sharp mind, a great sense of humor and she wasn’t afraid to use potty humor if it would make someone laugh! She loved people. She treated everyone equally and greeted everyone with a warm smile. She never judged others and was a very compassionate and all-forgiving friend.
Gail is survived by her sister, Darlene Volpe, of Florence, and her nephews, Tony Volpe of Amherst, and Darren and his wife, Amanda Volpe, of Sunderland. Her brother, Willie Rameau and his wife, Louise, of Woodstock, Vermont. Her very dear friend, Kimmy Fuller of Westfield. Her caregiver family in Westfield; Jeanne, Terry, Ryan and the family dog, Muffin, who Gail adored. Her friend, Mary Ann Brennen, of Belchertown. Also, her friends at Nonotuck Resource Associates who provided assistance to Gail over the last thirty years. Her many friends at Mercy Adult Day Health, and friends in every doctor’s office and hospital in Western Massachusetts.
Gail’s legacy will continue on in others through the gift of tissue donation. Visitation will be Saturday, October 26th from 10:00-10:30 a.m. at Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, 10 Maple Street (Route 202) with a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Quabbin Park Cemetery in Ware.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Dakin Animal Shelter, 163 Montague Road, Leverett, MA. 01054. For details, please visit www.beersandstory.com
