Gay Louise Almquist

Gay was a graduate University of California, Riverside, and went on to work for the United States Forest Service for twenty years. She also was the Vice President for Human Resources at the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and in 2004 she earned a Master of Business Administration at the University of Redlands. Gay then worked as the Director of Transfusion Medicine at the City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, CA. She retired in 2020.

In addition to her love for her series of Labrador Retrievers over the years, and the cats and dogs of the extended family, Gay actively supported and donated to charities for the welfare of animals. She was also deeply committed to the protection of nature and the environment.

Gay was a socially conscious person who selflessly did whatever she could to help others. She was someone many people, including family, friends, colleagues, and others, turned to for advice, which was always wise and kind. She was especially devoted to generously supporting others in need.

Gay is survived by her loving immediate family members: Joy Astrolio (sister), Thomas Almquist (brother),Joy Fridey (partner of 25 years) and her nieces and nephews, Tina Fischer (and John), Melody Martorano (and Nick); and grand nephews and nieces, Josh Martorano (and Kim) and their son Luke, Michelle Martorano, Aja Carter (and Mike), Ariel Fischer (and Meredith), Zoe Fischer-Brown (and Brandon) and their daughter, Frida.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in Gay’s name to Sammie’s Friends in Grass Valley, CA at www.sammiesfriends.org as Gay also had a home in this area that she planned to retire to and we know she would have been involved in volunteering for this organization. You may also make a donation to St. James Episcopal Church at www.sjcsp.org