Gayle Mary Gilmore

Gayle Mary Gilmore

April 01, 1947 - April 07, 2018
Lake Forest CA

Gayle Mary Gilmore

April 01, 1947 - April 07, 2018
Lake Forest CA

Obituary

Gayle Mary Gilmore passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2018 after a long, brave fight with cancer. She was born in Bangor, Maine on April 1, 1947.  She attended Hampden Academy and graduated in 1965. She went to De’Lor Beauty College after high school and opened her own salon called the Golden Net.  In 1968 she moved to CA where she met her future husband Gene. Eventually they settled in Santa Ana, CA and began their family.

Gayle truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures: She was an active member at St. John the Baptist starting in 1974 where she served on the auxiliary board and was the chair of many events like the dinner dance and fashion show.  She spent many summers at the beach enjoying friends and family, traveling to Maine, and watching her children grow.  She was an amazing stay at home mom who cooked nightly; some of her memorable dishes were “hot dog casserole” and “shrimp regal”.

Gayle moved to Lake Forest, CA after the passing of her husband Gene.  There she established a new life including working at Santa Margarita Catholic High School as an administrative secretary and serving on the homeowner’s board.   She met Tom and they created a life of memories.  They ventured into a card and bookmark business called T&G Concepts.  They spent many weekends at the swap meet selling their wares.

Gayle enjoyed watching her grandchildren in every event they participated in from soccer games, music performances and drama productions.  She enjoyed dinner dates with friends, traveling to Vegas and playing slots, and was a huge collector of frogs; at least 100 frogs sit in her “frog house”. During the holidays she had an annual cookie bake with the grandkids and was known by many for her famous Peanut Brittle.   Gayle was always on time, if not early, and extremely organized. She was often found watching shows like The Voice, Dancing with the Stars and Fixer Upper.  She and Tom enjoyed many breakfasts at the Snooty Fox.

Gayle is predeceased by her parents, Ray and Jane Leavitt. She is survived by her long time companion Tom Dillon; daughter Veronica (Oscar); son Gene Jr. (Lex); daughter Nicole (Josh); son Brennan; six grandchildren Tyler (Brittney), Cory (Elyse), Marissa, Rebecca, Jared and Kylie; 3 great-grandchildren Dallan, Ellie and Desmond, with one on the way; her siblings Stephen (Gale), Terry (Debbi) and Peggy (Kurt) and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Gayle’s Rosary and Visitation will occur Monday April 16th from 7-9 pm at O’Connor Mortuary: 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA. Her funeral mass will occur at Santiago de Compostela on Tuesday April 17th  at 21682 Lake Forest Dr., Lake Forest, CA.

The family would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers throughout the years. Gayle will be greatly missed.

 

Vigil Service

  • Date & Time: April 16, 2018 (7:00 PM)
  • Venue: O'Connor Mortuary
  • Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 581-4300

Funeral Mass

  • Date & Time: April 17, 2018 (10:00 AM)
  • Venue: Santiago De Compostela Catholic Church
  • Location: 21682 Lake Forest Dr. Lake Forest, CA 92630 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 951-8599

Graveside Service

  • Date & Time: April 17, 2018 (11:30 AM)
  • Venue: El Toro Memorial Park
  • Location: 25751 Trabuco Road Lake Forest, CA 92630 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 951-9102

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10 responses to Gayle Mary Gilmore

  1. A wonderful person….I am truly honored to have met and known such a beautiful person

  2. Nancy Pugh says:

    Thank you, Gayle, for welcoming me into your family when our kids- Josh & Nicole- got married. I will miss your gracious hospitality; seeing all of the funny cookies the grands made every Christmas ; the annual Christmas Eve fancy family dinner; your delicious peanut brittle. . . and so many other things. Now you will be at peace & pain-free.

  3. Truly a wonderful woman and great mother. Enjoyed the Friday night wine/dinner dates and the fun times in Vegas and Cancun. Gayle, you will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Rest in Peace

  4. Alana Halley says:

    It was wonderful to have spent time with Gayle & the rest of the family this past Thanksgiving. Gayle touched the hearts of many especially mine in how she cared for my niece Veronica & my nephew Gene. She always had their best interest at heart. She, like my late husband was a brave soul in battling her cancer…. a true warrior. Now Gayle is at peace & pain free & enjoying a beautiful life in heaven. Gayle you will be missed by all. God bless.

  5. I am so glad I got to spend time with Gayle and Veronica last November. She was a joy to be around. We made a beautiful memory.
    Hugs and love to her whole family.

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