Gail Ann Boyan (nee Nicholson) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Boston and Nahant, Massachusetts
passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024 with her husband, William L. Boyan Jr., her family and friends by her
side.
Gail was born in Medford, Massachusetts and attended Medford Junior High School where she met Bill,
her beloved husband of 61 years. The two attended Medford High School together and found that they
could not be apart. Gail matriculated to Tufts University and Bill attended Harvard University, just down
the road, so that the two could continue their romance. After Gail and Bill were married, they moved to
Nahant where they raised their five children. Gail was active with the Nahant Arts Association and
enjoyed tennis, skiing and golf. Gail loved the opera and was an avid reader, a world traveler, an active
mother and grandmother, and a fantastic cook. To escape the harsh Boston winters, Gail and Bill
headed south to Palm Beach Gardens, where they enjoyed friends, family, boating and golf. They were
active in the Boston and Florida communities for many years, supporting and chairing efforts for the
Boston Children’s Hospital Fund, the Hestia women’s grant-making Fund of Boston, Scripps of Florida,
Lifelong Learning at Florida Atlantic, and many other important organizations. Gail also participated in
numerous educational pursuits through Florida Atlantic University.
Gail is survived by her husband, Bill, her children Claudia, Craig (Elise) Boyan, William (III)(Sara), Scott
(Maria), and Todd (Christine). She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren, John, Hailey, Grace,
Alessandra, Carly, Mia, Sofia, William, Scott, Rachel, Jack, and her brother David Nicholson (Pat).
Gail is preceded in Heaven by her father, Harold Nicholson, her mother Anna Nicholson (nee Daly), her
brother Bill Nicholson, and niece, Nancy Milliken (nee Nicholson).
Gail will be remembered and revered at her Catholic funeral Mass at 10am on Wednesday, June 19,
2024 at St. Joseph Church, located at 118 High Street in Medford. Interment will follow Mass at Oak
Grove Cemetery in Medford. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend. Visiting hours will be held on
Tuesday, June 18 from 4pm to 7pm at Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home located at 29 Governors
Avenue in Medford. For additional information, please visit www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to Boston Children’s Hospital. Gail, Bill and Claudia have
worked closely with Boston Children’s Hospital for almost 50 years. Contributions can be made at
bostonchildrens.org/giveinmemory and please include Gail’s name in the memo line.