Gail Elizabeth Sanford Fulmer

February 27th 1947-December 6th 2010

Gail began this world as Gail Elizabeth Sanford, the daughter of Edward Sanford and Vivian Lewis on February 27, 1947 in Scotia, California. Gail had a loving upbringing around her grandparents and siblings: Charmian, Jack, Eddie and Bruce, in Whitethorn, California. Gail attended high school at South Fork Union High School in Miranda, California, finishing in 1965. Gail actively participated in the student government. He classmates remember her fondly.

By 1969 Gail was the loving mother of three kids: Kyle, Kent and Kelli. In 1969 Gail met her future husband Samual DeVon Hartzell (Fulmer). DeVon was the father of three kids also: Vonai, Brenda and Sonny. Together they were a combined family with six children. In 1977 they added to that lot with the birth of their son Galen. But Gail had a huge heart for doing the right thing, always putting others before herself. In 1981 Gail took in and became a foster mother to another son, Angel. She extended the same motherly love to him as her own children. Angel remained her son for the rest of her life. In addition to Angel, Gail also extended her love to a neighbor boy, Tim, who lost his parents at a young age. Tim also was loved with the same motherly love as the rest. Tim remained a part of Gail’s life till the end as well, often joining in all of the family traditions such the family’s Thanksgiving Feast.

DeVon’s occupation was operated out of their home office, so for many years Gail hosted employees arriving as early as 5am and sometimes staying for dinner or over night. For many years, without complaint, she cooked and accommodated friends, employees and family. DeVon spoke highly to anyone who would listen, of his wife’s talents. He especially loved her cooking. Gail lost both her own parents at a very young age and cleaved to the parents of DeVon. She loved them with her whole heart and they loved her.

Gail and DeVon often took the kids on road trips and enjoyed camping any weekend they could get away. Even when camping, Gail’s cooking was unbeatable. A hot meal was always ready after DeVon and the kids returned from a day of fishing.

Although Gail and DeVon moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Gail worked at Sutter Solano Hospital as an admitting clerk for the Emergency Room (eventually retiring), she and DeVon never forgot their first love of the country they grew up in and eventually moved back with their children and resided in Honeydew, California.

After the children were grown, Gail and DeVon moved to Grants Pass, Oregon and enjoyed every visit from their kids and 25 grandkids. Gail would sew special things for each child for birthdays and Christmas, and bake special cakes. She even sent a birthday cake as far as Alaska to her daughter Kelli for her birthday and then hand delivered another one to her son Galen for his birthday the very next day. When Gail’s son Kyle was hospitalized after a car accident, Gail was by his side through most of his hospitalization, even though the hospital was more then five hours away.

As Gail’s health declined so did her ability to use her hands for the arts and crafts she loved doing. Gail suffered from diabetes and after three years of dialysis she received a kidney donation from her son Kent. Gail eventually conquered diabetes but only to discover she was suffering from a disease called supranuclear palsy and it eventually took her life.

Gail was a kind and loving woman. She had a sweet, soft nature that endured life’s hardships. She was a loyal wife from start to finish, losing her husband and partner of 40 years in 2009. She was a dedicated mother and friend. She will always be loved and remembered as a very special woman. Gail’s courageous struggles were over on December 6th, 2010 at her home with her daughter Kelli, in Cumberland, Maine, when she departed from this life to go on to the next.

Gail is survived by her children: Kyle Murry Sanford, Kelli Sherme Parker, Kent Allen Sanford, Angel Sarmiento, Galen Von Hartzell; her stepchildren: Faye Vonai Graham, Brenda LaVon Carpenter and Samual DeVon Hartzell (Sonny); her grandchildren: Justin, Seth, Melissa, Willie, Crystal, Ethan, Elizabeth, Angel, Alex, Allena, Tara, Arial, Ruby, Raena, Thomas, Janai, Victoria, Gordon, McKinzie, Brittnay, Tara, Daja, Jonah, Hunter, Galen, Anessa, Austin and Sabria; her great-grandson: Tristen; her bothers: Jack Sanford, Bruce Picton and Edward Sanford; and her beloved dachshund, Sophie.

Gail is predeceased by her husband, Samual DeVon Hartzell; her sister, Charmian Rhodes and her granddaughters: Alisha Carpenter and Madeline Nicole Parker.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday December 18th, 2010 at Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma, California at 10am with Deenie Torres officiating. Pallbearers will be: Kent Sanford, Galen Hartzell, Angel Sarmiento, Jack Sanford, Bruce Picton, Edward Sanford. Gail will rest in peace with her mother. A luncheon reception will be held immediately following the service.

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Memorial donations graciously accepted. Please send to: Kent Sanford, 5845 Sardine Creek, Gold Hill, Oregon 97525. Any questions please call Kelli Parker @ 207-749-9595

Funeral arrangements were jointly made by Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth, Maine and Cypress Lawn in Colma, California. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to share your condolences, memories and tributes with Gail’s family.

II Corinthians 5:6-8

"Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."