Gail Meredith (Ripley) Miller, 80, of Middleboro, MA, died peacefully at her home on Sunday, January 7, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family.
Her devoted husband of nearly 58 years, Donald (Don) Miller, and constant canine companion Bella were by her side.
Gail had courageously battled ovarian cancer for the past six years, rallying through several recurrences to give her loved ones the gift of precious more time with her. She was a warrior to her last day.
Until her move to Middleboro in 2002, Gail had been a life-long resident of Abington, MA. Born in September 1943 to Meredith (“Rip”) and Helen L. Ripley, Gail and her younger brother, Jeffrey L. Ripley, grew up in Abington, MA.
Gail was bitten by the travel bug early in life by her parents’ participation in the Rotary International Foreign Exchange Program. Her family hosted students from all over the world through this program, and Gail met her life-long Japanese sister, Tomiko, while she was an exchange student in Japan in high school. The Ripley’s
extended Japanese family remain in our lives until this day.
Gail graduated from Abington High School in 1961. Although her future husband had graduated in the same high school class as Gail, they did not start dating until after high school.
Don and Gail were married in March 1966 in Abington. They raised their two children, Christopher and Cheryl Miller, in their home on Summit Rd in Abington, surrounded by neighbors who became their second family while their children grew up together.
Caring for others was Gail’s calling. In 1964, she graduated with her nursing degree from The Brockton Hospital School of Nursing. Her nursing career began in the Intensive Care Unit at Brockton Hospital, where she worked as a registered nurse for more than 15 years. She then transitioned to the Abington Visiting Nurse Association where she served for more than 22 years, finally retiring in 2008. She is remembered for her tireless energy and extraordinary capacity to care for her patients.
One of the highlights of Gail’s life was her Peace Corps service with her husband Don in India from 1966 to 1968. Her Peace Corps Family, referred to as the India 28, formed an incredibly close bond during this experience. They enjoyed several reunions over the years and remained
in constant contact with them throughout her life.
Countless slides shows were viewed by all during the 1970s and 1980s on Friday nights at the Ripley house on Morton Street. Gail was extremely talented and loved to paint and create ceramics for her family and friends. She always looked forward to her weekly ceramics and painting classes in Abington and later in Middleboro. Her ceramic works of art adorn her family’s homes in Port St Lucie, FL, and
Middleboro, and are also predominantly displayed in her daughter’s marine consulting office in Deerfield Beach, FL.
Her parents, Meredith (“Rip”) and Helen Ripley, and younger brother, Jeffrey L. Ripley, predeceased her. She is survived by her devoted husband, Don; her son, Christopher Miller of Port St Lucie, FL, and her daughter, Cheryl Miller, of Stuart, FL; her grandchildren, Jake and
Hailie Miller; her cousin, Sandra Alty, of Quincy, MA; her cousin Debbie Colby and Aunt Viola Leonard of FL; her sister-in-law Mary Lou Ripley of Pembroke, MA; her niece and nephew Melissa and Scott Ripley, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Gail had an amazing capacity to love unconditionally, and all those lucky enough to have known her, knew how much they were loved. She went to great lengths to ensure that her children knew that she was their biggest supporter, and without fail, she was with them when they needed her the most.
Gail will be remembered by her close friends and family as their biggest cheerleader; most loving, giving, and caring friend; most patient listener, and without any doubt, most talkative companion. She will always be the brightest light in the dark when you can’t sleep, and she will live in our hearts and memories for the rest of our days. How lucky my brother and I are to have had her as our mom and how blessed we all are to have been loved by her. When you see
a red cardinal in your yard, stop for a moment and watch, she will be there for a visit and to remind you of her love.
A celebration service of Gail’s life will be announced by the family at a later date this spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gail Miller Memorial Fund at the United Church of Christ of Abington, PO Box 2025, Abington, MA 02351.