Gail Eskritt

Dear Friends and Family,

It is with a deep sense of sorrow and loss that our family announces the passing of our mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt and daughter Gail Elizabeth (VanSickle) Eskritt at home on Saturday February 3, 2024.  Knowing that her time was near, our entire family gathered around her bed to watch her favourite movie “The Great Outdoors” and listen to Christmas songs because Christmas was Gail’s favourite time of year.  We held her hand and told her how much she meant to each of us, how much we loved her and how much we will miss her, because we did and we will.

Gail was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago.  She underwent every chemo and radiation treatment that she could so she could get better.  They say that if you make it for five years, you’re a survivor.  Gail did almost that, but on March 1, 2022 she found out that the cancer had returned and she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.  For the next 704 days she would struggle, not to get better, but to stay strong enough that we could have one more day with her.

She will be profoundly missed by our children Lynn & Rachel, Darrell & Anna and Makaila, by our grandchildren Lucas, Graham and Clara, and our chosen son Marcel & Chantelle.  She will also be missed by her brothers Jeff & Janet and John & Brenda, her Eskritt in-laws Al & Shelley, Jennifer, Roberta & Gaetan, Barb & Denis and Marvin & Kim and by her many nieces, nephews and friends.  She was predeceased by her parents Leo & Melba.

The story about the girl from Dresden who met the boy from Ridgetown at Funeral Director School in Toronto started 43 years ago on January 24, 1981 when we got married.  There have been many interesting chapters for sure.  The next chapter will teach us how to accept that things will never go back to how they used to be, and that this ending is really a new beginning.  Our story will continue through our children and their children.  It will be great.

Please join us at Glad Tidings Church on Thursday February 8, 2024 for visitation from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service conducted by a long-time friend Terry Tribe will take place at 2:00.  Following the service, the immediate family will take Gail to her final place of rest in Evergreen Cemetery.  It was most important to Gail that everybody have something to eat and drink so you are all invited to go to the Willow Ridge Golf & Country Club next to the church and we will meet you when we get back.

During the past seven years, Gail spent an incredible amount of time travelling to doctors appointments outside Blenheim.  She thought that the new Blenheim Medical Health Hub was the best thing that could happen for our community.  If you would like to remember her with a memorial donation, please consider the initiative to bring health care closer to home.  Online donations can be made at www.blenheimhealthhub.com

Marc Eskritt