Page created by: Megan Chapman

In Loving Memory of Gail Catherine Laramie (Dunleavy)
December 3, 1950 – July 12, 2025

Gail Catherine Laramie (Dunleavy) was born on December 3, 1950, in Rutland, Vermont, to Robert and Sadie Laramie of Fair Haven. She was the second oldest in a spirited family of 11 children—6 boys and 5 girls—where early lessons in love, patience, and resilience shaped the compassionate woman she would become.

She spent many of her happiest childhood summers at Waits River and Lake Bomoseen, surrounded by the beauty of Vermont’s natural landscapes. These peaceful days sparked a lifelong appreciation for nature, water, and the simple joys of life.

Gail earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Castleton State College and devoted 34 years to teaching young children. For 25 of those years, she proudly owned and operated Fair Haven Nursery School, where she became a cherished part of the town’s fabric. Generations of families remember her warmth, her guidance, and the playful learning environment she created—a place filled with laughter, storytime, and the smell of finger paints and fresh crayons.

She was a devoted mother to three children: Brian (49) of Vermont, with wife Alecia, Megan (45) of California, and James (41) of Massachusetts with his partner her heart expanded even more with the arrival of her six beloved grandchildren: Katherine (24), Mark (22), Bradley (20), Jazzmyne (21), Ava (14),and Teagan (4). Her grandkids knew her as “Mema,” “Mamouk,” or simply “Grandma,” and they adored her completely.

In a bittersweet twist of fate, Gail passed on July 12, 2025, the 24th birthday of her firstborn granddaughter, Katherine—who was lovingly named in her honor. That deep connection between generations was a hallmark of Gail’s life.

For 16 years, Gail faced Parkinson’s disease with unwavering courage, dignity, and grace. Never one to be defined by her illness, she endured it with remarkable strength—fighting quietly but bravely, never letting it diminish her warmth, humor, or deep love for others. In the end, she made a final, selfless act of generosity: she donated her body to the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, where she will help train future doctors and researchers in the hope that her contribution will one day help lead to a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

In honor of her strength and spirit, and to continue the work she so strongly believed in, her daughter has partnered with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to establish a memorial fund in Gail’s name. This fund will support ongoing Parkinson’s research, education, and ultimately, the search for a cure. Through it, Gail’s legacy of compassion, teaching, and giving continues—touching lives far beyond her own.

Within a day or two, a direct donation link will be shared for those who wish to contribute to this fund in Gail’s memory.

Gail found joy in the little things—gardening, camping, and spending time near the water, whether it was a riverbank, the lake, or the ocean. She had a playful side, with a love for biscotti, York Peppermint Patties, Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies, and her favorite drinks: an icy Diet Pepsi (or Diet Coke) and the occasional strawberry daiquiri, sipped slowly with a smile in the summer sun.

She also had a gift for sewing, which she used to create lasting memories and cozy keepsakes for her grandchildren—Halloween costumes, pajamas, and handmade blankets, stitched with love and care. These little acts of devotion were her way of wrapping her family in comfort, even when she couldn’t be right beside them.

She was a woman of deep faith and a proud, lifelong member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Fair Haven, Vermont. Her faith was quiet but strong—a source of peace, hope, and community throughout her life.

Her life was a steady, comforting presence to so many. She taught not just the ABCs, but also how to be kind, curious, and joyful. She was the heart of her family, a quiet force in her community, and a woman who gave all of herself to the people she loved.

Gail’s memory lives on in every flower she planted, every child she taught, every cozy quilt or Halloween costume lovingly crafted, and every story shared around the dining room table.

She will be forever missed.
Forever remembered.
Forever loved.