Gayle Ruth Briggs

She was born April 28, 1950 in Lincoln, Maine to Allison & Louise Whitney Briggs.

Gayle graduated from Brewer High School, Class of 1968.

She attended Westbrook College obtaining a Dental Hygienist Degree and worked in that field for several years in Boston. Life’s journey took her career onto working a fascinating position as a flight attendant with Pam American Airlines where she traveled the world enjoying destinations in Europe & Africa while being based out of New York City. Her later life endeavors included work with the Maine Tourist Information Bureau and later retiring her Career as a Customer Service Specialist with L.L.Bean.

She was a huge believer in Conservation and protecting our environment.

Her love of nature, the outdoors and her life long ambition was to leave the world a better place in her conservation efforts and support.

She and her husband Joe volunteered for many years with Yarmouth and Freeport recycling and Maine beach clean-ups.

She was married 40+ years to her husband and soul mate Joseph Sukaskas whom she met while volunteering her time at an off Broadway theatre.

Gayle was a loving sister, Aunt and friend. One could always count on her for her unwavering support. If one was fortunate enough to have her in their lives; they would often be the blessed recipient of her thoughtful homemade gifts of comforting soups and chocolate chip cookies; as she noted herself as being “a chocolate chip cookie connoisseur”.

She was the biggest supporter and cheerleader to her nephews and nieces various sports and arts pursuits; which she attended whenever possible and gleefully cheered them on and thoroughly supported their interests.

Her love of family gatherings and Friday pizza nights we will carry with us in our hearts.

She loved hiking, going for long walks, adored picnics, snow shoeing and the wonder of the universe. She was truly spiritually connected through nature. She and her husband Joe enjoyed car rides through New England’s coastal and mountain areas. She loved Casco Bay, Camden and especially Acadia National Park.

For Her genuine youthful spirit & optimistic innocence of humankind; may this lovely quote resonate in her memory.

“Everything in the forest has its season. Where one thing falls, another grows. Maybe not what was there before, but something new and wonderful all the same” ~ Walt Disney’s “Bambi”.

Gayle was Predeceased by her husband Joseph Sukaskas, Brothers Daryl and Gary Briggs, Parents Allison & Louise Briggs. Feline Companions Snippy & Mesha.

Remaining relatives who meant the world to Gayle:

Brother Bryan Briggs, wife Deborah Walls of Falmouth, Maine. Sister-in-laws Pamela Briggs of Hamden, Maine & Tammy Ruuk-Briggs of Brewer, Maine.

Nephews Erik Briggs, wife Rena of Framingham, MA, Nathan Briggs, wife Molly of Hamden, Maine, Wilson Briggs, wife Paige of Highlands, NJ, Brandon Briggs, wife Courtney of Freehold, NJ, Zachary Briggs, wife Casey of Gorham, Maine, Alexander Briggs, wife Nicole of Brunswick, Maine. Nieces, Alyson Yachanin, husband Seth of Hamden, Maine. Catherine Briggs of Portland, Maine.

Several great nieces, Addison, Makenzie, Avery, Amelia, Emersyn, Ava & Violet. Great nephew, Wilson and Several cousins.

A heartfelt thank you to her compassionate caregivers at Cornerstone Companions, also Catherine Briggs, Tabby Nyatichi and Theresa Lehman, Falmouth House at Ocean View Staff, Legacy Memory Care Staff, Compasses Hospice Care, Dr. Allyson Malloy & Dr. Paul.

A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2027 from 1-4pm at The Maine Audubon, L.L.Bean Great Room, 20 Gilsland Farm Rd., Falmouth, Maine.

Per Gayle’s request there will be no funeral.

Burial will be private.

Donations may be made in Gayle’s memory to:

Cure PSP, 325 Hudson Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10013

Friends of Acadia, 43 Cottage St., P.O. Box 45, Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Friends of Casco Bay, 75 W Commercial St., Ste 301, Portland, ME 04101