Gail A McCollum

Gail, the daughter of Jean and Imants (Don) Skulte, was born on April 30, 1952, in Manhattan, New York. She grew up on Long Island before moving to Ringwood, New Jersey, and graduating from Lakeland Regional High School.

Gail later earned her degree from James Paterson University and began working as a special education teacher before finding her calling in retail. She began her retail career with Sears, Roebuck and Company, which took her to the Midwest, where she made her home in Indiana. Target offered Gail a management position that she couldn’t refuse. She loved her role there until her retirement in 1999.

In 1993, Gail married the love of her life, Donald McCollum, in Zionsville, Indiana. Together, Gail and Don built a life filled with love, travel, and countless memories with family and friends. They remained devoted to one another until Don’s passing in 2022.

Gail grew up visiting her grandparents in Boca Raton, Florida, a place that remained especially meaningful to her. She and Don eventually bought a home of their own in Florida and enjoyed many years splitting their time between Florida and Indiana until finally settling in Florida full-time in 2019.

Gail truly believed that "anything worth doing is worth overdoing," especially when it came to celebrating her people. Holiday gatherings, birthday parties, and most recently, her “Flamingle” were not just events she hosted but expressions of her love. Gail poured herself into every detail as a way of showing how much she cared. She did not simply mark special occasions; her goal was to always make the people around her feel special.

Gail is survived by her stepdaughter, Amy (Ben) Keizers; her stepdaughter-in-law, Jessica McCollum; her seven grandchildren, Dex, Jack, Erin, Liam, Case, Simon, and Maeve; her nephews, Jeff, Aaron, KJ, and Caleb; her nieces, Leah and Audrey; her dear friend Donna Conklin, who was more like a sister; her beloved four-legged companions, Angel Baby and Mr. Freckles; and many other family members and friends who were fortunate to know and love her.

Gail was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; her sister, Kate Wortendyke; her beloved husband, Don McCollum; and her stepson, Matt McCollum.

Those who loved Gail will carry forward the many ways she showed them what it means to love generously, care deeply, and think of others. Her legacy lives on in the family and friendships she nurtured, the traditions she created, and the countless lives she touched with her kindness and generosity. She will be remembered with tremendous love and missed beyond measure.

In her own words, “Love you bunches.”