THOMASTON — Gail Donna Robinson died August 7, 2018 at the age of 75 at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor surrounded and supported by some of her many loved ones. 

Gail was born to Toivo and Fannie Makinen in Quincy, Massachusetts, on November 4, 1942. She grew up in Tenants Harbor and graduated from Tenants Harbor High School. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Gorham Teacher’s College and taught middle school science for 15 years in Texas and Maine.

She went on to work in a local bank before returning to her work with children, operating a child care center in Thomaston. In recent years, she substituted as a teacher and ed tech in RSU 13, and also volunteered as a tutor in the district.

Teaching and caring for children was her lifelong passion. She did many things behind the scenes to ensure they had things they needed and wanted. She facilitated donations of hats and mittens to the school, and in recent years she supplied funds for yearbooks for children who could not afford to order one so they wouldn’t feel left out. 

Gail was an active member of both the Federated Church in Thomaston and the Finnish Congregational Church in South Thomaston, serving on many committees and volunteering for countless events, both within the church and in the community. She was also actively involved with the Finnish American Society of South Thomaston, at one point serving as Secretary.

Gail was known for her sharp wit, her ever-present beaming smile, and her love and acceptance of everyone she met. She had a way of drawing children to her and making everyone feel like they were family. Countless friends and family have had the privilege of visiting in her living room and eating at her table. If she wasn’t volunteering, “gallivanting”, reading, sewing, or cooking, you could find her in her gardens, tending to her vegetables and flowers.

Gail is survived by her husband of 35 years, Percy Robinson, daughter Chelsea Petereit and son-in-law Mark McColluck, daughters Stephanie Kallio, Erika Petereit, Regina Robison, Christina MacFarland and son-in-law Brian MacFarland, Melodey Weaver, and Tina Young, along with 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her twin brothers Everett and Donald Makinen and son Richard Petereit. She is also survived by so many more friends and family for whom she was a loving presence. She will be missed beyond measure by everyone.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, August 13, 2018, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.  A Celebration of Gail’s Life, will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, August 14^th, at the Federated Church of Thomaston, 8 Hyler Street.  A pot-luck reception will follow at 82 Erin Street in Thomaston.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Finnish American Society of Mid-Coast Maine, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 488, Warren, Me 04864.

To share a memory or story with Gail’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.