WESTFIELD: Gail Marie Dubay (née Skop) passed away at home in Westfield, MA on October 31, 2020 after losing her battle to pancreatic cancer. She was born on January 6, 1951 at Noble Hospital in Westfield, MA to Walter and Angela (DeMartino) Skop. Gail graduated high school from Ursuline Academy in Springfield, MA. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Nursing from UMass Amherst in 1977. Gail and her then husband Henry moved to California, where she gave birth to her daughter Shana in 1979. Gail was a professor of nursing education for the University of California, Berkeley. Gail and her family returned to Western Mass in 1984, where she began her 25 year career as an Administrative Coordinator for Noble Hospital, before finishing her career at Genesis HealthCare Center. Gail was a woman who showed her love through service. She cared for her patients, family, and served the community of Westfield for the majority of her life. Gail loved to entertain. She was well-known for her summertime pool parties, big Italian dinners, and holiday gatherings, especially for Christmas which was always her favorite. Gail loved her small group of close-knit friends, but was closest to her best and dearest friend of 65 years, Joanne (Fox) Kaspar, as well as her long-time companion David Collinge.
Gail leaves behind her daughter Shana Dubay and son-in-law Rich Spitzer, granddaughter Evelyn Spitzer, step-father Ralph Sheldon, brothers Robin and Steven Sheldon, sister-in-law Edite Sheldon, and niece Danielle Sheldon. Gail was predeceased by her father Walter, mother Angela, and aunt Mary Barber.
Calling hours will be on November 4th from 4pm-7pm at Firtion Adams Funeral Home at 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA. Gail will be laid to rest the following morning at 11am in Russell Cemetery in Russell, MA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Gail’s name to the Prevent Cancer Foundation at preventcancer.org.
