Gail Stoorza-Gill, a pioneering business woman who founded what became the largest independent PR and Advertising Agency in California and biggest woman-owned enterprise of its kind in the US passed away at the age of 77 from complications related to chronic fibromyalgia and surgery.
Born in Yoakum, Texas to Roy and Ruby Blankenship, she spent her childhood in Panama, where her father was stationed as an air traffic controller, and in Fort Worth. She attended North Texas State University and became a flight attendant before marrying her childhood sweetheart Larry Stoorza in 1963 and moving to San Diego as a navy wife.
She got her start at Philips Ramsey Advertising and, after her divorce, became Director of Advertising for Rancho Bernardo, a brand new community masterplanned by Harry L. Summers, who along with Charles “Red” Scott became her lifelong mentors and treasured clients.
In 1974 she founded The Gail Stoorza Company which later became Stoorza, Ziegaus and Metzger. In 1981 she married real estate developer Ian Gill and their only child Alexandra Leigh Gill was born in 1982.
Over the next 25 years her company expanded in tandem with San Diego’s growth and Stoorza’s roster of clients became a who’s who of major San Diego companies such as the San Diego Padres, McDonald’s, Economic Development Corporation, Port of San Diego, La Costa Resort and many others. Over 100 employees worked in four offices in San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles and Sacramento.
For three important decades she played a significant role in the history and evolution of the San Diego region. Highly active in civic and professional affairs, Stoorza-Gill was the first female to serve as Chair of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce. She was past Vice Chair of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, past Chair of the Young President’s Organization Coastal San Diego Chapter and founding board member of Voice of San Diego. She served on numerous other civic, financial, performing arts and education-related boards.
Stoorza-Gill was named by PR Week as one of the nation’s “50 Most Influential Women in Public Relations” and received the Human Unity Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
She mentored many colleagues, in particular young women, and elevated their careers by imparting her business savvy, entrepreneurial spirit and marketing expertise. Numerous former employees have become highly accomplished business and community leaders in their own right.
In recent years she became an enthusiastic and loving Gigi to grandsons James (20 months) and Charles born April 24, 2021, her 40th wedding anniversary. She also doted on a succession of red doodles and poodles. Gail leaves behind her husband Ian, daughter Alexandra and partner Ted Esser and their two sons.
A celebration of Gail’s life is being planned for July and donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The National Fibromyalgia Association, 3857 Birch Street, Suite 312, Newport Beach, Ca 92660.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18