Gail Page, longtime resident of Concord, passed away on August 23 at the Havenwood nursing home from complications of a rare neurological disease.

Gail was born in Hornell NY to Linwood and Beatrice Page, and spent most of her childhood in Hornell and in Jewett City CT as her father’s job moved the family. As a child she had auburn braids, a mischievous smile, and an abiding love for small animals, especially cats. She graduated from Griswold High School in Jewett City in 1965 and continued her education at Barrington College, receiving a BS in social work in 1969. One of the highlights of her life was the year abroad she spent in Denmark during college, an experience that not only gained her lifelong international friends but sparked a love of travel that eventually saw her camping with giraffes in Tanzania, snorkeling in Belize, walking on glaciers in Iceland, and birdwatching in Montana.

After college, Gail pursued a master’s degree in social work at Syracuse University, returning to New England after graduation and settling in Concord NH. After several years as a social worker for the State of New Hampshire providing guardianship and conservatorship for mentally disabled persons, she helped to found The Office of Public Guardian where she advocated for the needs of incapacitated individuals and worked tirelessly to make informed decisions on their behalf. She built a life in Concord as a member of many local organizations and with a longtime membership at Wesley United Methodist Church. Her home of 40+ years always had a garden and cats and birdfeeders and projects, though to the horror of her younger relatives, never did have a dishwasher.

After retirement, Gail continued her philanthropic pursuits by teaching English to refugees, standing out for women’s and human rights, volunteering at a winter homeless shelter, and keeping the trails clear in her favorite local hiking areas as a member of the Concord Trails Committee. Gail lived her life with truth and honor, and truly walked her talk. If she saw a problem, she tried to fix it. She worked in countless ways to bring awareness to injustice home and abroad, and supported causes she believed in fully both in word and in deed. In her own words, “I have not changed the world, but doing (nothing) would have been impossible for me. It boils down to love of nature and fairness and intolerance for what harms it.”

Gail is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Carolyn Page; brother-in-law, Don Kerr; nephews, Andy Page (Julie Page) and Jonathan Page; nieces Jennifer Page (TJ Lookabill), Beth Kerr Helfter (Joe Helfter), and Alison Kerr Miller (Michael Miller); grandnieces and grandnephews, Stefan and Austin Page; Eva, Paige, and Greta Helfter; and Nathan and Everett Miller; as well as numerous dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Linwood and Beatrice Page, and her sister, Grace Kerr.

The family would like to thank Havenwood Heritage Heights for the compassionate care Gail received in her final months. A private burial will be held with a Celebration of Life to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pope Memorial SPCA: https://www.pmspca.org/. Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Boscawen office, is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please visit https://phaneuf.net/.