Gail Lee Hay

Peoria ~ Gail Lee Hay, age 90, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Arcadia Nursing Home in Morton. She was born on November 18, 1935, in Kewanee, a daughter of Adam Leopold Machorosky and Myrtle E. (Johnson) Machorosky. Gail was married to Thomas Lloyd Hay. He preceded her in death on March 2, 2014.

Gail is survived by her two sons, Bruce (Luann) Hay of Roswell, Georgia and Scott Hay of Morton; four granddaughters, Megan (Chris) Grimley of Denver, Colorado, Kelsey (Dan) Hartnett of Kansas City, Kansas, Marissa (Alex O'Brien) Hay of Alexandria, Virginia, and Karsyn Hay of Charleston, South Carolina; five great-grandchildren, Beckett, Hayden, and Graham Grimley, and Noah and Jacob Hartnett.

Gail graduated from Kewanee High School 1953 and Monmouth College 1957.

Gail was a devoted, hard-working, loyal, inspirational, cherished, and resilient woman who touched many lives through her faithfulness to family, her service to others, and her steady commitment to learning and the arts.

Throughout a remarkable career in education, Gail served students across Peoria-area schools with dedication and care. She was a summer school teacher at Richwoods High School, Woodruff High School, Peoria High School, and Manual High School for 16 years, from 1987–2003. She taught all levels of high school English at several District 150 schools for 11 years, from 1987–1999, and later continued shaping young minds as the 6th Grade English, Reading, Arts, and Science Teacher at Mark Bills Middle School from 2003–2004 and at Trewyn Middle School from 2000–2003.

Gail also devoted significant effort to adult education and family learning. She taught the Adult Education Parenting for School Success Class from 2000 through 2002 at Harrison School in Peoria, a course focused on parenting techniques to improve a child’s reading performance, with GED instruction available. She taught an English 5 Class at the Adult Education Center Night School from 1998–2002, and she served as a GED Teacher, Even Start Teacher, and High School English Teacher at the Adult Education Center from 1997–1999. She also taught the Century 21 Program at Trewyn School in 2001–2002.

Her commitment to language learning and support for families was evident in her work in ESL education. Gail was an ESL Teacher at Harrison School in 1999–2000, an ESL Tutor for Caterpillar, Inc. families in 1999–2000, and an ESL Night School Teacher at Irving School from 1997–1999. She also participated in ESL State and National Conventions and workshops in 1999 and 2000, continuing to learn and contribute to her field.

Beyond the classroom, Gail was known for her pioneering spirit and wide-ranging talents. She was Peoria’s first female private investigator, and she also worked as a fashion coordinator—roles that reflected her independence, confidence, and keen eye for detail.

Gail gave generously of her time to the cultural life of her community. She was a past member of the Women’s Symphony Guild in Peoria and served on the board of the Peoria Philharmonic Chorale in several capacities, including president, advisor, recording secretary, and membership chairman. She was also a past board member of the Amateur Music Club and served as the special events chairman for the Peoria Christian Women’s Club.

In her personal life, Gail found joy in music, writing, and the companionship of rescue animals. She wrote poetry and loved to play the piano, organ, and violin. She treasured her many pet dogs over the years, and she especially loved spending time with her two sons, four granddaughters, and five great-grandchildren.

One Day...

I'm taking these days

One at a time----

These days when you're gone----

These days that are so empty without you.

One day at a time passes

So slowly----

But soon these days will be full

When we touch again----

And we will both know

How difficult it was.

One Day at a Time (copyright, Gail Hay, 1978)

Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin has been entrusted to care for her cremation. Gail's family has arranged a graveside service at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Kewanee.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church webpage at

http://www.zionlutherankewanee.com/ There is a link on the page for online contributions. Memorial gifts may also be mailed to Zion Lutheran Church, 250 East Street South, Kewanee, IL 61443 and/or TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter at https://tapsshelter.org/donate/.

Online condolences may be shared with Gail's family at www.Preston-Hanley.com