Gail was born and raised in Bronx, NY, daughter of the late Robert and Jean Votava. She had attended Holy Family and Saint Helena’s Catholic Schools with her twin sister Linda Cocozza in the Bronx.
Gail was a caring and compassionate mother of two, doting wife, and a good friend to many. She started her career with the New Fairfield School system, doing what she loved and showing her passion, which was working with children. She also helped assist her friend Geri Martini with children’s daycare. On many days you would find her at the New Fairfield town park with her beloved family and friends. She was a devoted housewife who was always meticulous and keeping everything in its place. Her home was always inviting to all who came to visit. In her later years, she enjoyed many weekend trips to Mohegan Sun to what became her favorite entertainment, despite her illness. She was a lover of music and dancing.
Gail is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Frank S. Grande of New Fairfield; her son Frank M. Grande and his wife Julie of Provincetown, MA; her daughter Christina Lynch Grande and her wife Sue Messier of Waterbury; her twin sister Linda Cocozza and her husband Dan Cocozza, her older sister Roberta Verhoye and her husband Charles Verhoye, and her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends will be received from 4 PM to 8PM on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Saint Edward the Confessor Church, New Fairfield with Fr. Nicholas Cirillo as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.
Contributions in Gail’s memory may be made to the ALS Association Connecticut Chapter, 4 Oxford Road Unit E-4, Milford, CT 06460 or to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
