The O’Reillys moved to Seattle in 1949, first to Capitol Hill before settling on lower Queen Anne where Gael and her sister Sharon attended Sacred Heart Catholic School. The Queen Anne neighborhood became a home base for Gael and many of the friendships that began there remained with her throughout her life. Gael attended Holy Names Academy on Capitol Hill, graduating in 1957 and was an active member of the Holy Names community and Alumni Association.
Gael married Wayne Simmons in 1959 and had 4 children. The Simmons family moved to the U-District in 1965 and Gael became active at Blessed Sacrament Parish where her children attended school.
In 1973, following her divorce, Gael started a career outside of the home as a teller at the downtown branch of Seattle Telco Credit Union. She went on to become a loan officer, lending manager, and moved up to manage branches at Pioneer Bank, Boeing and Cascade Credit Unions before retiring in 2004.
Gael was a committed feminist, a lover of the arts, Christmas decorations, cats and clever cartoons. A voracious reader, her book club of four plus decades was a joy, as was her soup group. She was a passionate advocate for the underdog and worked with the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center, as well as the Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Gael was service personified. She gave love, kindness, thoughtfulness (the best cards ever), and compassion to all. Gael’s presence will be greatly missed by her family and friends, her vibrant spirit lives on in those of us who knew and loved her, and will be carried forward. Gael is survived by her children Mark Simmons (Lara), Eric Simmons (Katie), Carrie Simmons (EJ) and Pat Simmons, her grandkids, Audrey, Andrew, Daniel, Owen, Jack, and Ava, by her dear sister, Sharon O’Reilly Nolan, her niece Bridget, and nephews Matt, and Leif Bergman
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to The Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center, St. Joseph Residence at Providence Mount Saint Vincent or The Saint Vincent DePaul Society.
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