Obituary of Gail E. Stearns

"Monson, Gail E. (Ryder) Stearns, 49, formerly of Monson, currently of Grafton, NY died Tuesday, November 16 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY following a long illness. Born in Monson, March 5, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Harry C. and Ruth M (McMahon) Ryder. Gail was a graduate of Monson High School and worked as a nurse’s aide at the Wing Memorial Hospital from the late 1960’s until her marriage in 1976. After moving to Grafton, she performed private duty nursing care for several elderly patients in their homes. From 1990-1995, she also worked at Cohoes Eddie Rehabilitation Facility in Cohoes, NY, retiring in 1995. Since retirement, Gail combined her love of crafts and talents of cooking and canning and established Gail’s Jams Etc., Inc., a small specialty foods retail company she operated from her home. She was a member of the New York Small Scale Food Producers Association. In her quiet time she enjoyed the hobbies of crafts, gardening, and traveling to her special place at Hampton Beach, NH. She will be deeply missed by her devoted husband of over 28 years, Robert, along with their beloved daughters, Heather A. Stearns of St. Louis, MO, and Renee M. Stearns of Grafton, NY, four loving brothers and sisters, Neal M. J. Ryder and John C. Ryder both of Cape Cod, Kathleen M. Coyle of Monson and Colleen P. Russo of Palmer and several nieces and nephews. Gail’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to all her friends, neighbors, and caregivers for their love, support, and prayers during her illness. A service of remembrance will be held Saturday, Nov. 20 at 4:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home. Family and friends may call at the funeral home Saturday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. prior to the service. Those wishing may make donations in her memory to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services P.O. Box 4261 , Pittsfield, MA 01202 "