After a life well lived and well loved, Gayle passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2025. She is survived by her soulmate, loving husband, Brian. Their meeting at Hagersville Teen Town would mark the beginning of much love and laughter, and a true partnership for 60 years. Gayle was a constant guiding light to her children, Shana Peart (Don), Erin Riel (Ray), and Kyle Hagan. She was a proud and cherished grandma to Emaleigh and Davin Peart; Adin and Lauren Fretz; Owen Riel; Julija Christanson and their partners; and five great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Doug Wilson (Barbara), Connie Morrison (Dick), Judy Atkinson (Tom), and Donna Ireland (Daryl); and brothers-in-law Stan Atkinson and Russ Beaurivage. Predeceased by parents Harold (Jamie) and Donna Wilson, and sisters Carol Lee Atkinson and Karen Beaurivage. Gayle was co-owner of Home ‘N Hearth Craftworks and made many other quieter contributions to promote the success of Caledonia and its people. We will remember her for her easy ability to make strong and loving connections with others. Gayle was genuine, open, honest, considerate, and so easy to love. She felt that she gained as much as she gave, as these relationships continued to bring her immense comfort and joy until the very end. Though rooted in a strong sense of family, Gayle also valued and nourished relationships with many dear and loyal friends. She leaves her family, and all the lives she has touched, with valuable lessons in kindness and compassion, as she always chose to see the good in others and was skilled at being a relentless encourager of the underdog. Gayle has been an inspiration to many. She faced each day, even nearing the end of this life she loved so much, with courage, grace, acceptance, dignity, gratitude, and joy. She chose to celebrate each day with family and friends, old and new, from near and far. The thoughts, wishes, words, and deeds from her “army” filled her heart and gave her strength. We would like to express heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Parveen Wasi and Nurse Juliana and staff at Juravinski Cancer Centre; Dr. Amy Montour and Nurse Jeanette and staff at Stedman Hospice; and to special friend, Nurse Nicola Booker. A celebration of life will be held at Caledonia Lions Community Centre, 100 Haddington St., Caledonia, on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 2–4 p.m., with memory sharing at 3 p.m. Serenity Burial & Cremation Services Inc., 361 Main Street, Port Dover (226) 290-9093, have been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations to Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice (norfolkhaldimandhospice.ca), P.O. Box 658, Port Dover, Ontario N0A 1N0, or Stedman Hospice (sjlc.ca), 99 Wayne Gretzky Parkway, Brantford, Ontario N3S 6T6, would be appreciated, while honouring Gayle’s wishes to share the gift of these wonderfully supportive services with others. Online condolences can be left at www.serenityburialandcremation.com
