Gail McLachlan

Gail McLachlan, 88, passed away September 20, 2024, in Seattle. She was born November 19, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Albert and Myrtle Gustafson. She remained active throughout her life and found joy in spending time outside. She grew up ice skating on the frozen Minnesota lakes and had a talent for water sports. During the summer, she enjoyed swimming and high diving at Lake Harriet, a sport in which she earned a varsity letter in high school.

After graduating, Gail moved to Yakima to be near her Aunt Helen. It was there that she met and married Richard Philips, with whom she had her four children. She was involved in many activities with her kids, including Cub Scouts, Blue Birds, basketball, baseball, and skiing at White Pass. She was also involved with Junior League, where she met many lifelong friends. She loved attending horse shows and took great joy in watching her daughters compete. Every summer the family vacationed at Gail’s sister-in-law’s cabin near Kalaloch on the Washington Coast. She loved beautiful views from the bluff overlooking the ocean with miles of driftwood below. Some favorite memories included building forts, whale-watching, exploring tide pools and searching for glass and wooden floats among the driftwood. She was an avid tennis player and spent summers playing tennis and swimming with her kids at the Yakima Tennis Club. She also had a love of water skiing, which she continued to do well into her 60’s. A story she proudly told was that in her 20’s, she water-skied on Lake Chelan from Stehekin to Wapato Point, without falling, about 40 miles long.

Divorcing in 1971, Gail began working as a clerk for Yakima County before moving to Seattle to work as a legal secretary. In 1995, Gail moved back to Yakima, drawn by the sunshine and the proximity to her family. The next year she reconnected with an old friend, Kent McLachlan. They were married in 1998 and spent 13 wonderful years together vacationing in Hawaii, hosting parties with their family and dear friends, and spending time in their flower gardens (Kent in his dahlia garden, Gail in her roses) before Kent’s passing in 2011.

A lifelong animal lover, Gail had a special fondness for her dogs, always opening her heart and home to furry companions. Witty until the very end, Gail had a sharp sense of humor and a zest for life. She loved her family dearly, and they were her greatest source of pride and joy. She is preceded in death by her sister, Marlene Lafave, and her brother George Gustafson.

She is survived by her children, Ric (Ann), Pam (Jodi), Jill (John), and Judy (Paul), her grandchildren, Melissa, Karina, Christopher, Philip, Jared, Colleen, Daniel and many great-grandchildren. Her stepchildren Kyle (Desiree), Craig (Jennifer), Kent Jr. (Renee), Amanda, and step-grandchildren. A reception and celebration of life will be held Friday, April 4, 2025, at 12:30 pm at Keith and Keith Funeral Home.