Nola Gail Moore (nee Rose)

On Saturday, August 18, 2018, at the Toronto Western Hospital, in her 78th year.

Devoted wife for 55 years to Hugh, and wonderful mother to Christopher (Michelle), Andrew (Elizabeth), and Peter, sister of the late Barbara. Gail was also delighted to be grandmother to grandsons Carson Robert, Connor Hugh Hunter, Hunter Joseph, Logan Anthony, Chase Matthew, and James Patrick. She was our shining family star, and a loving friend.

Born in Halifax, N.S. on Feb. 11, 1940, and known as “Rosie” to her Halifax friends, Gail touched many and different bases in her career, largely in the non-profit / voluntary sector. After stellar academic achievement in high school and at Mount Allison and Dalhousie Universities, she taught at public schools in Halifax, Calgary, London and Burlington. Her teachings were followed by 10 years of leadership and fund-raising for the Volunteer Center of Metro Toronto, and Volunteer Ontario. With special friend and colleague Marilyn MacKenzie, she founded and co-owned Partners Plus, providing consulting expertise to the non-profit sector for 6 years, and retired as Executive Director of the Canadian Prostate Cancer Research Foundation, now Prostate Cancer Canada, in 1999.

Not only a Super Mom to her 3 sons, Gail was well known as a mentor, coach, volunteer, risk taker, and dear friend to many. She touched many lives, and had such a positive impact on her family, and her community – particularly her family at St. John’s York Mills Anglican church. In the end, she manifested her faith by the way she lived, the things she did, and her relationship with others.

Gail was a voracious reader, and an engaging conversationalist, always brimming with new ideas. She loved to travel to faraway places with hubbie Hugh – one of her favorite sayings being “Life is a whole bunch of experiences”. Her constant zest for high activity – be it as a scout leader, at the gym, building the next generation water-garden in her backyard, engaging her bridge buddies, or her church welcome team, – all hallmarks of her personal charm, made her a fun-loving social person.

When she became ill and required hospital care, she spoke about how privileged she felt to have been taken care of by Dr. Ken Logue, and other such dedicated professionals at the University Health Network, Sunnybrook, and Women’s College Hospitals, and how it reaffirmed her commitment to universal health care. She sought to live with her illness as long as she could, and showed tenacity in death, as she did in life.

Gail was predeceased by parents Harry and Katherine, and sibling Barbara. She is survived by her husband Hugh, sons Christopher, Andrew and Peter – all of Toronto, and special nieces, nephew, cousins, and extended family members – both near and far.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at St. John’s York Mills Anglican Church, 19 Don Ridge Drive, Toronto, ON M2P 1H3, on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to help research into CNL at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (http:/www.thepmcf.ca/Ways-to-Give/Donate-Now) or to St. John’s York Mills Anglican Church.