Gail H Fernald

Gail Humphrey Fernald, married to Frederick Gordon Fernald and mother to Anne Fernald Cross, Margery Miner Fernald, Alexander Gordon Fernald, and Douglas Humphrey Fernald, passed away on September 17th, 2024 after a sudden illness. She was attended by loving family and passed peacefully.

Gail was known for her verve, iconoclastic humor, keen interest in history, and love of her family. She graduated in 1953 from University High School in Minneapolis, MN and in 1957 with a degree in English Literature from Pembroke College at Brown University in Providence, RI. Married to Fred on June 12, 1957, their wedding was featured in the 1957 Brown University yearbook. Gail earned a Masters of Library Science from the University of Denver and worked for many years as a research librarian specializing in natural resources and conservation subjects. As well as spending time being an involved mom and grandmother, Gail was an avid quilter. She had a broad grasp of history and actively read and discussed history related to current events. She quipped “Never say never” and was reassuring with the words, “Things will work out in the end, just not the way you expect them to.” Born March 3, 1935 in St. Paul, MN, her parents were Richard Kay Humphrey and Lucille Smith Humphrey. Gail will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded by her brother David Kay Humphrey and survived by her husband, her children, and her grandchildren Sophia Fernald, Isabel Fernald, Irene Fernald, Natalie Cross, Isaac Fernald, Andrew Cross, and Julia Fernald.

A private remembrance will be held at a future time. Any donations in her name could be directed to the Peregrine Fund for raptor conservation, a personal passion of hers.