Gail Marie Amrhein Parido

Gail Marie Parido was a loving mother, sister, daughter, wife, co-worker and friend. She approached life wholeheartedly, putting all her substantial energy into everything she did and everyone she loved. Gail was strong-willed, independent, and straightforward. She was also giving, caring, and loyal, and with her effervescent personality, infectious laugh and dry wit, she brought many smiles to those lucky enough to know her. Gail made an impact on everyone she met.

Gail was welcomed into this world on October 10, 1963 at New York Hospital in New York City by her parents, Jerome Francis Amrhein, Jr. and Dolores Grace Amrhein [Cafarelli] and her five sisters: Diane, Susan, Jean, Nancy and Carol. Her brother Jerry was born the following year.

Gail was a happy little pixie of a child with a captivating appearance and engaging personality. So much so, that once when she was only a few years old, a complete stranger, left after talking with her for only a few minutes and then returned with a lovely porcelain pear brooch that he had just bought specially for her.

Gail’s pride and affinity for her Italian heritage started at a very young age. At age 1½, she would happily eat piles of pepperoni slices from her perch in her high-chair, with the meat’s oils dyeing her cute little mouth all red! Gail could also give her family quite a scare…several times as a young child she disappeared…always to be eventually found, fast asleep in some hidden spot.

Gail lived the first 6½ years of her life at 33-35 154th Street in Flushing, New York. She attended school at PS32 and St. Andrew Avellino. In the summer of 1970, Gail moved with her family to Florence, Kentucky, where she lived at 28 Achates Street. On school days, she simply walked across her backyard to the adjoining schoolyard at A.M. Yealey Elementary School where she attended.

In January of 1973, Gail moved with her family again, this time to sunny Southern California. She went to Eastwood Elementary School, and then to Stacey Junior High School. Gail enjoyed playing softball on a team with her sister, Carol, and coached by her father, Jerry. She even played on a basketball team, coached by her sister Jean. Most of all, Gail enjoyed hanging out with her best friend, Dee Dee Hasson, with whom she shared many adventures and a wonderful friendship.

Gail attended Westminster High School, where during the very first week of school and at age 14, she met Scott Michael Parido, her first love. They married in January of 1981 and lived in Huntington Beach, California. Gail and Scott were blessed with three beautiful children, Michael [or “Mick” as she called him], Jessica, and Kristina, who meant the world to her from the moment they were born. Gail loved spending time with her children whether it was making crafts, roller skating, or sunning and swimming at the beach or pool. She was a dedicated mother who served as a Room Parent at her children’s schools as well as Team Mom for her son’s sports teams, making his team banners and attending all his games. Gail could even make running errands a humorous and memorable event, whether trying to force rocking chairs into her car, getting chocolate-dripping ice cream cones from McDonalds, or having shopping adventures at Target.

Gail and Scott grew up together and remained friendly for the betterment of their children. Even after their marriage ended, Gail and Scott continued to parent their children together, always focused on what was best for the children. Their families remained close, often spending birthdays and holidays together as well.

Over the years, Gail worked at a number of restaurants including Dino’s, Norm’s, Coco’s, Mimi's Café, Food Connection, and Red Lobster. She was viewed as an outstanding worker, and took great pride in a job well done. Gail was loved and respected by her co-workers, many who became not only close friends, but also an extended family to her.

Gail met Rudolph John Ramirez, Jr. in 2002 and the two were married on Jan. 25, 2008. She and Rudy lived in Grand Terrace, California, just a few blocks from her sister Susan and brother-in-law John. Gail and Rudy loved to go camping and fishing and spent many a happy holiday doing both in the beautiful mountains of Silverwood. They also enjoyed deep sea fishing together. Gail’s love and prowess for fishing went all the way back to her childhood when she once caught two fish simultaneously on a single hook!

Gail and Rudy welcomed Rudolph John [R.J.] Ramirez III on July 26, 2008. R.J .was a special joy to Gail. She delighted in holding him in her arms and singing him their special song, “Music of the Night”, from her favorite musical, Phantom of The Opera, while gazing into his big, brown eyes. R.J. would sing back the words he knew in his sweet little voice.

Gail liked to dance, especially at weddings! Memorable moments are when Gail danced to songs like “Brick House” and “We Are Family” with all her sisters and her Dad. She would twist low to the floor and her laughter and smile were on full display.

Gail enjoyed the simple things in life—keeping house, crocheting, watching her favorite TV show [The Mentalist] and cooking. She loved to cook, crafting homemade baby food for her children when they were young, and making her special favorites for them and others to enjoy—favorites that she learned from her own mother: spaghetti sauce, breaded chicken cutlets and the special lemon and oil salad dressing.

Most of all Gail loved being a mom. Her children were the delight of her life and she loved them with all her heart. She bragged about them to anyone who would listen and saw them as God’s greatest gift to her and anyone else who knew them! A typical visit with her daughters in recent years entailed a great home-cooked meal, a movie or swim [or both] and, of course, a treasure-hunting trip to local consignment shops. Then there was the day just last summer when Gail, Kristina, Jessica and R. J. went swimming at Gail's house. Gail jumped in and acted like she was 10 years old, laughing and squealing, and throwing R. J. up and down in the pool until he couldn't laugh anymore. There was fun for all…so much fun that you could hear it half a block away! It is light, heartwarming moments like these that we will always remember.

Gail had her struggles throughout her life but showed an incredible resilience and willingness to always try again. She had an amazingly tenacious spirit. Gail was a fighter. When she was down, she would pick herself up and soldier on again. Perhaps that’s why she was so accepting of others and their flaws...and loved them unconditionally.

Even during dark times in her life, Gail believed in the power of prayer. She found great comfort in reading the bible daily, often with family or friends. Two prayers that held great meaning for Gail were the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi and the Serenity Prayer, from whose message she tried to lead her adult life:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Gail passed too soon from this world on January 3, 2011but she will continue to live in the hearts of all who loved her and whose lives she touched. May she rest in eternal peace in the arms of our Lord as she is reunited in Heaven with her mother. She will always be deeply missed.