Lakeport-----Gail Crane Risley Brewer, 79, of Franklin Street, passed away at home with her loving family by her side on Sunday, July 29, 2018.
Gail was born on February 28, 1939 in Rockville, CT, the daughter of Gerald R. Risley and Irene G. Nettleton. She had been a resident of Laconia for the past 52 years, but has been snow birding to Orange Harbor, Fort Myers, FL, for over 10 years.
Gail’s heart was in her church and she always kept her hands busy helping those in need. Be it the summer lunch program, the annual church rummage sale, Opechee Garden Club, Belknap Extension, quilting, Lakeport Woman’s Club, and Habitat for Humanity, she made sure she would be available to help with a big smile full of love.
Gail was a pioneer as a business woman, starting as co-owner of a home based seamstress business and partner of Brewer Associates Inc. for many years. In 1987 she became the President and Co-Owner of Scotia Technology. This was not an easy task for her since she was one of few elite women to hold this position in the industry at that time. Her corporate leadership did not stop there. She actively achieved excellence as an ISO9001 and AS9100 rating for the company, and was awarded as the number one supplier to Boeing Aircraft for multiple years.
In addition to managing a business, she spent what little spare time she had helping her community, serving several years on the Bank of NH and The Taylor Home Board of Directors.
Through the years, with a kind heart and positive outlook, she was a mentor to her family and others seeking advice. She particularly had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren; playing with toys, reading stories, or simply singing a song from her childhood, much to their delight.
We will miss her grand smile greeting us, usually followed by a dinner invitation to share memories and recent events in our lives. She was the beautiful bow that wrapped us all together and held us close.
Gail is survived by 3 sons: Jerome of Laconia; Eugene and his wife Debra of Wolfeboro; Steven and his wife Tammy of Alaska; a daughter, Diane (Brewer) Lyman and her husband Jim of Gilford; 12 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Donald Brewer of Laconia, her son, Scott Brewer of Florida, her 2 brothers and 3 sisters.
Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2018, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, using the Carriage House entrance.
A Funeral Service will be at the Congregational Church of Laconia, 69 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH on Friday, August 3, 2018, at 10:30am.
Interment will follow in the family lot in Oakland Cemetery, Meredith Center Road, Meredith, NH. A reception luncheon will follow at the Congregational Church from 12:30-2:30pm.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice, 780 N. Main Street, Laconia, NH, 03246, in memory of Gail. Hospice is run primarily on donations.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.