Obituary of Gail Louise Clancy

Gail Louise Gillooly Clancy of Huntington, NY, daughter of John and Marion Gillooly (dec), beloved wife of Raymond (dec) has passed from this earth after a nine month battle with Pancreatic cancer on June 7, two days after her 81st birthday. She is survived by her daughters Kathleen LeBlanc (Beau) of Madison, CT, Eileen Dunne (Jed), Sharon Bilkey (Ted), and Susan Gesell (Peter) all of Huntington, NY, and nine grandchildren. Gail was born on June 5, 1940, the youngest of four close siblings, Jack, Ed, and Marilyn, which she has all outlived. Gail spent her early years growing up on Randolph Avenue in Rutherford, NJ, and was lovingly doted on as the baby of the family. She always had nothing but fond memories of her youth and childhood that she shared with her parents and older brothers and sister; backyard plays, cheerleading at her beloved St. Mary’s High School, summers on Bud Lake, the Jersey Shore, Lake Mohawk and Orient, LI. Stories about her home, the people in it, and the many nearby relatives that she grew up with were nothing short of an idyllic fairytale, primarily because of the love instilled in her from her family. Gail received her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1962 from St. Joseph College in Hartford, CT. Tragically, only after a few weeks into her Freshman year, she lost her father to a sudden heart attack - a loss that perhaps was something she never overcame. Nonetheless, she pursued, made many lifelong friends there, and finished her degree - but not before she was swept off her feet by a dashing and handsome attorney. Elementary School Teaching would become a short-lived career for Gail, because she and Ray Clancy began their lifetime journey together and were married on October 13, 1962, only months after her college graduation. Nothing at this point in Gail's life made her happier than being the devoted and loving wife of Raymond Clancy ... until each of her four daughters came along. The Clancy Family home moved from Kew Gardens Queens, to West Neck Road in Huntington where memories have been made ever since. Kathleen, Eileen, Sharon, Susan each have such fond, cherished moments growing up together in the little white colonial, mostly thanks to Gail and her selfless devotion to every detail of their lives ... from handmade matching outfits for every holiday, Halloween costumes, themed backyard Birthday parties, piles of tissue-paper-wrapped presents on birthdays and at Christmas, Brownie and Girl Scout adventures, countless volunteering hours at St. Patrick School events and the formation of the Parent's Resource Group there; a title she was always very proud of. These were just some of the ways Gail excelled in her role. There were some beautiful moments, some louder ones too - like when 5 women fought over the one telephone in the house - and some downright hilarious events in a bustling family home with 4 daughters. Gail thought her greatest joy was raising her children - until her grandchildren came along. As if many thought Motherhood was her best role, becoming a grandmother to the nine precious lives she doted on until her last days, truly made her life worth living. Gail regretfully leaves Ryan and Courtney LeBlanc, Kelsey and Keegan Dunne, Hope and TJ Bilkey and Peter, Brody and Molly Gesell. Her love, devotion and adoration for each of these human beings has been a marvel. From countless attendances at swim and track meets, soccer, lacrosse, basketball and football games, dance recitals, school plays, concerts, award ceremonies, graduations, First Holy Communions and birthdays, not one of these events would be nearly as special without her there. Without question, she has loved nothing more than these amazing people. And the love is mutual. Gail's love for people was infectious and to surround herself with them once her daughters had left her nest, she earned her NY Real Estate license and practiced with several agencies in Huntington. Her primary love there however was the telephone and always being in the front office as a receptionist, where she had the opportunity to surround herself with people who became dear friends. Most recently Gail also worked in the Law Offices of Pezold, Smith and Hirshmann, also in a secretarial role in the same building her deceased husband had previously practiced law years earlier. Even more than her love for people and her sense of family, Gail's faith was her greatest attribute. First and foremost, this devout Irish Catholic's best friend was most notably the Virgin Mary. Oh, how many times did she call on her friends; Mary, Jesus, St. Jude, and St. Anthony, to name a few? The compilation of prayers recited to these heavenly pals would probably measure in decades of time. Despite the un-Godly pain and suffering Gail endured, she never complained and kept her constant faith until her final moments. May she finally Rest In Peace. Services are Wednesday 6/9/21 from 2-4, and 7-9 at M.A.Connell Funeral Home on 934 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY, and Thursday, June 10, Mass of Christian Burial at 9:45AM at the Church of St. Patrick, 400 Main Street, Huntington, NY.