Birth date: Mar 12, 1954 Death date: Jun 12, 2026
Decatur — Gail Patricia Maske, 72, passed away June 12, 2026, in Decatur, IL. Gail was born on March 12, 1954, to Frank and Emeline (Tenant) McKay, in Hartford, CT. On May 24, 1975, Gail married her husband, Clifford Maske in Win Read Obituary
Gail has been my friend for many years. She is a force of nature, full of life and energy, wit and laughter, teasing and comedic timing that is outrageous and hilarious. She has a way with words. Her never ending energy often had me practically running to keep up! To imagine someone so full of vigor, no longer with us, is simply hard to fathom. Gail did everything she did with enthusiasm, gusto, and seemed to never slow down. Her love for her animals, Biscuit and Destiny, was such a part of her. She loved her family and devoted herself to them always. She adored her grandchildren and was a faithful keeper of the Christmas Cookie tradition. If there was a good time to be had, Gail would see to it to be there. If it were a wedding, her attention to detail was impeccable. If it was a formal dress event, she did everything right. Gail loved the water and she had an above ground beautiful pool that she generously shared with her friends and family. Even the youngsters that attended high school with her kids were often enjoying a swim at any given time at her home. If it was a friend, she had fresh fruit and snacks all ready for them when tea time came around. I had personally spent hours at the “Maske Pool.” She kept it sparkling at all times. Gail loved playing cards with us and games, and we went to many, many movies together, popcorn bucket in hand. No one can ever say Gail didn’t live life to the fullest. She was a faithful believer and a devoted and loving and generous friend. Her humor was contagious and there was aiways laughter where she was. Gail had a serious side and was an extremely empathetic person who would cry with others when they suffered. You would have to know Gail very well to know how soft her heart was for others, and also what a heart of gold she had. She offered to care for elderly mom, who said she “absolutely would let her, too” because she knew Gail meant it. She was like that and would help people when they needed it, without talking about it openly. She was trustworthy and devoted to all those she loved. And she loved many. Those young kids loved her back because she treated them all so well. If anyone was being bullied, they would soon learn not to do so in front of Gail. She was a defender of the underdog and would see to it that a bully was schooled quickly and told off strongly with serious and “taste of their own medicine” words. She would lay them out for picking on an underdog. Her heart was bigger than anyone probably ever knew. It was sincere, honest, and although, she minced no words, she said it like it is, and schooled the teens on putting themselves in others shoes. They respected her and trusted her. She wasn’t cruel, but boy, she was firm when it came to protecting. I miss the swimming. I miss the movies. I miss the laughter. I miss the friendship and time we used to have, that I thought would last forever. She was too full of life to believe she’s gone. It seems like she was just snorkeling on vacation on one of her beloved cruises. Godspeed Gail. I miss you already. I know you’ve gone to your reward. Heaven better get prepared for laughter to go with joy. We will meet again and “catch up” there.
Gail and I (Darlene) did a lot of vacationing together for a lot of years. We also both loved the pool when I would come and visit her and cliff.
