Gail passed peacefully on Sunday, February 19, 2023, in Red Deer, Alberta, surrounded by her beloved son Douglas (Shannon) Sparrow; and her sisters, Cheryl Pyne and Dorothy Edmundson, at the age of 75 years. Gail was raised in Red Deer. She went to Crossroads School (a one-room schoolhouse located at the intersection of the C&E Trail with Highway 11A), River Glen, North Hill, Central, and Lindsay Thurber schools. She had diverse employment which included a licensed hairdresser, a clerk for ladies’ wear at the Hudson Bay Co. and other fine retailers, a teller at TD Bank, an accountant, and finally fulfilling her dream of owning a small business. Gail lived in many places within Alberta, including Calgary, Olds, Eagle Hill area, and finally Sylvan Lake. She was active in her church, involved with the Wild Rose Draft Horse Association, showed Percheron horses at the Calgary Stampede, and loved gardening until health changes prevented these activities. She had many friends and was a real lovely friend to have. She had a witty sense of humor, was sharp as a tack, and could arrange an event like no other. She loved to shop & shoes were always on the list, loved to travel, enjoyed magazines, and hated the snow. You never talked to her before she had her coffee in the morning and she seldom met a coffee she didn’t like! She is survived by her 4 grandchildren, Morgan and Blake Sparrow, and Seth & Jared Gecse; her nieces, Colleen (Rob) Whitley and Karen (Jason) Park; her great nephews, Henry Park, Patrick and Michael Whitley; her great niece Gwendelynn Park; her cousins, Rosemund (Alden) Woodworth, Daryle (Kathy) Kerr, Paul (Joann) Dykes, JoEllen Stevens, Kendra (Wayne) Curry and their families. She was the eldest daughter of Thomas and Phyllis Dykes of Red Deer and was predeceased by her parents in 2013 and her brothers-in-law, Jim Edmundson and Dale Pyne in 2011. Gail has left an emptiness in all that knew her and will be sadly missed by her family, her many friends, and her little poodle Lexi. The family would like to extend very special thanks to the Red Deer Hospice for their care of Gail. If desired, Memorial Donations in her honor, may be made to the Red Deer Hospice at www.reddeerhospice.com. A Celebration of Life will be held in her favorite season, Spring, on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium with a reception following. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2023-03-01
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com