Gail Edith Kool-Page

Born to loving parents, Eugene G Reiter and Edith L (Bidwell) Reiter, in Philadelphia, PA, she was the eldest of three girls and grew up in a close-knit multi-generational family. The girls were very active with Gail excelling in sports, academics and bossing her sisters around. Gail’s gift for service & social life began with her introduction to the Girl Scouts at the age of 5. This early Scouting experience would turn into a life-long involvement in the organization centered around building strong women – both as a leader for her daughters’ scouting journey and then leading a troop in Pensacola for over 20 years. Gail also volunteered regularly at church, nursing homes, taught swimming lessons to the disabled, and volunteered at schools throughout her life. These acts of giving, sharing & socializing brought Gail immeasurable joy and were the essence of her personality and character.

After graduating from Cheltenham High School in Philly, she started work at the Germantown Courier in the marketing department. One day a good-looking machinist, who was in town consulting on the Courier’s printing presses, caught her eye. This young man was Morse A (Morrie) Kool, Sr (1928-1995) and became the love of her life. In 1961 McKnight Ridder Publishing transferred the couple & their family to Minneapolis, MN. Gail’s personality kicked in immediately, leading social events & gatherings for the local women, while balancing the demands of her home, family and job. As the only woman in the neighborhood who could drive, Gail offered to drive the other women and children to various appointments, while also teaching them to drive in support of their own independence. She also brought the “Party” to Minneapolis by becoming one of the first Tupperware saleswomen in the area. Later, her marketing background & zeal for socializing made her a perfect fit for the Market Research Dept at General Mills, holding studies on potential new products. Boo Berry & Count Chocula cereals are just a few she helped bring to market. Gail’s outgoing and social nature were well utilized at several market research firms later in life. She had no problem approaching strangers in malls or grocery stores, and she wasn’t one you could say no to. When Morrie retired in 1981, they left the cold north and moved to Pensacola, where the two partnered in Kool Custom Barns, building & selling custom storage sheds for the Gulf Coast area. After Morrie passed, Gail did not sit idle. She continued attending Cancer Support Group and Covenant Hospice where she met John W Page (d 2024). Suffering the recent loss of his wife, John & Gail found comfort and companionship. They married in 1996 and spent 28 Golden Years together.

Gail’s strong independent nature carried her through until her final days. She was beloved by all who cared for her the past several years at Sodalis Senior Living. The caring was mutual, with Gail constantly adjusting their clothing so they looked their best and frequently requesting help for other residents who needed water, a fork or another waffle. She was always on the lookout to be of service. Gail had a quick wit and made us laugh with her doozey one liner comments. Whether displaying love and grace or behaving uncharacteristically due to late-stage Alzheimer’s, we loved everything about Mom and appreciate all she taught us. We will miss you deeply and promise to carry on your lessons of generosity, love and faith. In loving memory, Bev & Deb.

Gail is survived by two daughters and their families, Beverly Gail (Kool) Carlton (Terry) of Leawood, KS, Taylor Carlton (Nora) & Theo Carlton of Hingham, MA, Lindsey (Carlton) DeMarco (Brian) & Olivia and Max DeMarco of Randolph, NJ and Deborah Sue (Kool) Rickley (William (Billy) Rickley IV, d 2020) and William (Alex) A Rickley V of Fredericksburg, VA.

Gail’s sisters Jean (Reiter) Jordan (Tom) of Richland, NJ and Susan (Reiter) Sondergard (Michael) of New Germany, MN will sorely miss their older sister minding their P & Q’s.

Visitation will be held at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Rd, Pensacola, FL 32506 on Friday, February 28th from 10:30am-12:30pm (A Reception will begin at 11:30); follow by her Funeral Service at 12:30pm; then finally, please join us in procession to take her to her final resting place at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola at 2:00PM.

To attend the Funeral Service virtually please follow the link: https://evt.live/gail-edith-kool-page-funeral-2-28-25?guest=612b69a5-dfa2-4193-94dd-08608b5f8d49

In lieu of flowers, Gail would love donations be sent in her memory to one of the following organizations:

Richards Memorial United Methodist Church: 2600 W Strong St, Pensacola, FL 32505

People’s Foundation of NW Florida (Hospice): 213 E Wright St, Pensacola, FL 32501 https://choosepeoples.com/foundation/