Gail Neal

Gail Richey Neal passed from this life on August 1st, 2024 at the age of 74 in Austin, Texas surrounded by her loving family. Gail was born in Bryan, Texas to Wilbur and Betty Richey. She grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her three siblings and graduated from Edison High School in 1967, later earning her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State). After a brief stint as a teacher in Dallas, she accepted a position in the Round Rock school district, later going on to get her accreditation in Special Education from UT Austin.

Recently celebrating their 50th anniversary, Gail met her husband Howard on a blind date, marrying on June 1, 1974. With the arrival of their sons Michael and Brian, Gail chose to pivot her career to full-time mom and home CEO, supporting the family as Howard’s career opportunities led to multiple relocations. Each time Gail quickly made new friends and created a warm, welcoming home for her family.

Gail’s hobbies and passions centered on sewing, quilting and family. Over the years Gail crafted and gifted countless quilts and blankets for family and friends, each a work of art and a demonstration of her love for those receiving them. Known as Gigi to her grandchildren, she also took on the challenge of making needlepoint Christmas stockings for all 6 grandkids with each stocking taking hundreds of hours to complete. Despite her failing eyesight, she finished the final stocking with the help of a dear friend. Gail's love for her family was evident in everything she did, including her playful “Worry Board,” where she kept track of loved ones’ travels, removing them only when they arrived safely home.

As a devout Christian, she leaves an amazing legacy for her family and friends as she lived her faith daily and set an inspiring example, even as her health declined. Fearless in the face of death, she is now at peace, and those who witnessed her passing find solace in her legacy. She will be remembered for her loving nature, sharp sense of humor, determination, and dedication to her loved ones.

Gail is survived by her husband Howard, son Michael and wife Erin, and son Brian and wife Amanda, all of Austin. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Owen, Lauren, Ryan, Evelyn, Henry, and Edie. Other survivors include sister Jana Lester (Jerry) of Austin, brother Murray Richey (Lynda) of Ft. Worth and brother Mark Richey (Sheryl) of Tulsa as well as loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a host of long-time friends.

A memorial service celebrating Gail’s life will be held on Saturday, August 17th at 2PM at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Drive in Austin. The family would like to acknowledge the amazing and loving care Gail received over the past weeks from the doctors, nurses, technicians, and staff of Dell Seton Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Scleroderma Foundation (https://scleroderma.org).