Gail Ireland Lanouette

Gail Ireland Lanouette died on April 28, 2025 of pancreatic cancer at her home in Falls Church, VA surrounded by her family. She was 88. She will be remembered for her love of children and teaching, her beautiful gardens and handcrafts, her talent for organization and her sense of humor.

Gail was born on July 23,1936 to James and Evelyn Ireland, and grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where she attended Hathaway Brown School. After graduating from Smith College in 1958, she married Edward Lanouette and in 1965 they settled into their Falls Church home where they raised three daughters. Gail was an active member of St. James Church, making connections that lasted a lifetime. She had passions for many things, and instilled those passions in her daughters and grandchildren: She was an excellent cook, and satisfied her sweet tooth with homemade cookies and pies. She loved to knit, sew, quilt and needlepoint, and her girls always had the most creative Halloween costumes. Most of all, she delighted in her gardens and in the spring her yard was a riot of color from all her bulbs, flowering bushes and trees. She volunteered with the Falls Church Garden Club, contributing her native Virginia plants to the annual sale as well as planting hundreds of bulbs at St. Anthony’s Church. She was also a generous supporter of the York Land Trust.

After teaching for 28 years in the Falls Church City school system as an elementary teacher, Gail retired in 2000. Many young teachers were inspired by her, as she always opened her classrooms to student teachers. Her passion for teaching and love of students was recognized in 1991 when she was given the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. A lifelong learner, she was always reading and kept close track (with a written summary) of every book she read. Just last month she hosted her book group, which she began in 1990 with fellow Thomas Jefferson Elementary (now known as Oak Street School) teachers. Gail recently retired from the board of Cherry Hill Farmhouse, where she used her teaching expertise to help develop the educational programs and led countless school tours. She still holds the record for longest term on the board, at over 35 years of service.

Gail and Ed began vacationing in York Beach, Maine in the early 1970s, and in 1975 they bought the beach house where the family would spend their summers. Gail loved the beach house and poured her energy into repainting walls and furniture, sewing curtains and quilts, painting oil cloth rugs, scouring local antique shops looking for just the “right” piece - all the while, expanding and adding to her flowering pots and bursting perennial gardens. Up and on her bike first thing in the morning or berry picking before the heat set in, Gail was always active. The only time you could ever find her sitting was when she was enjoying an afternoon with friends and family at Shorts Sands Beach (she’s even featured on a Short Sands postcard!) or on the porch, looking at the ocean and enjoying a visit with family, old and new friends, and neighbours.

Gail’s love of children was one of the greatest influences in her life. It was what made her such a wonderful mother, a beloved teacher, and eventually, the most treasured grandmother to her four grandchildren who were all lucky enough to have close, lasting relationships with her.

She is survived by her husband Edward; her three daughters Elizabeth (Kirk) Emge, Ann (Steven) Cole and Margo Lanouette (Jamie); as well as four grandchildren: John Lanouette, Madeline Cole, Katherine Cole and Elizabeth Cole. She was predeceased by her sisters Katherine Ireland Moroscak and Lynne Ireland Dearborn.

A memorial service to celebrate Gail’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gail’s name to Homestretch, Inc., (homestretchva.org) or Goodwin House Hospice (goodwinliving.org).