Gail Arnold Meeson Elker (nee Spooner), 86, passed peacefully on May 25, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.
She was born May 7, 1938 and was raised in East Douglas Massachusetts, the daughter of Dr. Raymond H. and Kathleen C. Spooner. Growing up, she liked to ride along in the car when her father, the only town doctor, went on house calls so that she could spend time with him, often reading a book in the car while he was with patients.
She loved to draw and paint, mostly horses, and was thrilled when her father bought her a horse, Gypsy, when she was 14 years old. She graduated valedictorian of her high school and then went to Middlebury College in Vermont where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in biology and met John H. Meeson, who she married in the summer of her junior year. They lived in New Jersey for a few years, and had two sons, Daniel W. Meeson and John H. Meeson Jr. When the boys were six and three years old, the family moved to Orange, CT and 3 years later, the boys’ father left the family and Gail became a single parent who was both strong and loving.
She was a dedicated mother, working part time to provide for her children while also being actively involved in their upbringing – as a den mother in Scouts and teaching Sunday School where they went to church. She met Bradford H. Elker when they were both helping install a pipe organ at church and, after a long courtship, they were married in 1986. They had a loving and happy marriage, traveling extensively in the U.S. and Europe to view pipe organs – a joint passion of theirs. They went on many other trips with favorite destinations including Israel, a safari in South Africa, and an annual trip to Pemaquid Point, ME, always bringing her dog.
She went back to school to earn her Masters degree in Counseling from the University of Bridgeport graduating in 1994 with a 3.91 GPA as a member of Phi-Kappa-Phi honor society.
Gail’s children and grandchildren were her greatest joy in life and both she and Brad poured time, love, and energy into maintaining these important relationships with family and friends. She was a strong, born again Christian and member of both Orange Congregational Church and Messianic Jewish congregation, Simchat Yisrael.
Gail volunteered at the Beth El soup kitchen for years and spread joy to others through her musical talent as a member of both her church choir and Pitchpipers. She was also a member of the OCC bell choir. Gail also loved animals, especially horses, dogs, and cats. Besides the horse she had in high school, she had a retired race horse in her back yard in Orange, and over the years, several different breeds of dogs and many cats.
Besides her parents, Gail was predeceased by her husband, Bradford H. Elker, her first husband, John H. Meeson, and a dear sister-in-law Susan B. Spooner. She is survived by her son John H. Meeson Jr. and his wife Dawn P. Meeson, their sons Eric John Meeson and Kevin John Meeson to whom she was their beloved “Nana,” her son Daniel W. Meeson and his wife Suzanne D. Lampe, as well as younger brothers Raymond H. Spooner and Jonathan F. Spooner, his wife Laurie Spooner, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Gail was a devout Christian and is now forever with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Services will be Thursday, June 6 at Orange Congregational Church, 205 Meetinghouse Lane, Orange. Calling hours will be 4-6 p.m. downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. The memorial service will begin upstairs at 6 p.m. in the Church Proper.
In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to a charity that you know was important to her.
Gail is being compassionately cared for by Cody-White Funeral Home, to light a candle or leave a condolence please visit www.CodyWhiteFuneralService.com