Gale Woodcock

Gale Merikle Woodcock, 80, passed peacefully on March 30,2026 in Little River, SC surrounded by family and love. Gale was born in Kingston, NY and was the daughter of the late Donald Merikle and the late Gloria (Schrader) Merikle. She, along with her loving sister Jan Merikle Ackert, graduated from Kingston High School and enjoyed growing up during Kingston’s glory days. She always spoke with great fondness of her childhood, teen and young adult adventures with her sister and close friends (The Dew Drop Inn being one of the hot spots!)

Gale married the late Joseph Misasi in 1964 and together they had 2 children, Gina and Joseph. She was affectionately called “Miss Gale” by the Downs St. friends and neighbors. Years later Gale took a second chance at love and re-married the late Bruce Woodcock. Her career at Metropolitan Life opened the door to new opportunities and friendships. She was so used to getting dressed up for work every day that even in her retirement she was always in fashion, often donning a hat to top off her outfit.

Gale was an avid gardener, seamstress (Her children’s Halloween costumes were always a hit!) and her culinary skills were beyond compare. She loved cooking for her family (she had a cabinet of to-go containers so you could enjoy it the next day) and celebrating the simple pleasures of life. Gale was also an animal lover and she made sure her home was filled with paw prints and fur balls. The cats she had as a child (Mr. Primm and Tiger) paved the way for future family pets: Collies: Lassie I & Lassie II (plus a litter of pups!), a black Lab named Jake, and cool cats like Ace Frehley, Bucky Dent, Max Factor, CoCo, Bosco and Honey.

Gale is survived by her beloved children: daughter Gina Benson and son-in-law Jim of Little River, SC; son Joseph Misasi and daughter-in-law Rhea (Hufalar) of Ponte Vedra, FL; her loving sister Jan Ackert and brother-in-law Rich (of Kingston, NY); 3 very special nieces: Kristie (Ackert) Juhl (Matt Ford & daughter Aibhlinn); Erin (Ackert) Nagy (and Shane (& pup Sayde); Lauren Ackert (and Dave Jeddah).

Gale adored her precious granddaughters: Liliana (Benson), Sofia (Misasi) and Lucia (Misasi) and their GiGi will always be a part of their hearts.

She was preceded in death by her stepmother Marian Drumm Merikle and leaves behind her stepsister Stephanie (Drumm) Blume of TX; the Woodcock family of Saratoga, NY; the Misasi family of Kingston/Glasco, NY; as well as treasured extended family, dear friends and neighbors.

Gale was known for her kindness, patience, strength and resilience which clearly showed over the past few years as she battled a myriad of medical issues. She has touched more lives than she could possibly know and A Celebration of Life will be held in her hometown of Kingston, NY at a future date.

You can honor Gale by donating to your local animal shelter or humane society, or simply plant a flower and think of her as it blooms.