Gail A. Kagler

Gail Arlene (nee Whitehead) Kagler, 84, passed away on January 24, 2023. 

Gail was born July 5, 1938, to Thomas and Evelyn Whitehead in Hackensack, New Jersey.  A proud graduate of the Northfield School for Girls in Massachusetts, she went on to attend Bucknell University and the University of Pennsylvania, from which she graduated in 1960.

During her college years, Gail met and married William “Bill” Kagler. They lived in Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Cincinnati (their longtime home) as devoted partners until Bill’s death in 2013.  They are survived by three daughters: Kim (Greg) Carroll and Kerri (Dave) Schuman, of Loveland, Ohio, and Kristin (John) Burbank of Groton, Connecticut. Affectionately known as GG, Gail was adored by her seven grandchildren:  Kevin and Corey Carroll; Megan and Sarah Schuman; and Henry, Andrew, and Ellen Burbank.  She is also survived by her brother- and sister-in-law Robert and Mary Lu Kagler of Hudson, Ohio, her niece, Jennifer Casa, and nephew, Robert Kagler.

Gail was fiercely independent and overflowed with life. She was loved by many for her energetic nature, warm smile and varied interests, including golf, pilates, dominos, bridge and mahjong. She played a mean game of Rummikub, never met an ice cream she didn’t like, and delighted in planting her zinnia garden every spring. After working with geriatric patients in her early years as a physical therapist, Gail contributed her time and talents to the Cincinnati Arthritis Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, and John’s Island Community Service League in Vero Beach, Florida, where she and Bill spent 40 years as active seasonal residents and built lifelong friendships. She always believed in the power of song to lift one’s spirits, whether as a congregant in the Sycamore Presbyterian Church, a member of the Twin Lakes Singers, or an impromptu silly soloist at family celebrations.

Nothing made Gail happier than spending time with family.  She loved supporting her daughters’ and grandchildren’s pursuits and cherished her visits with them, both near and far.  She was equally at home at a swim meet, volleyball game, choir concert or rugby match and cherished long conversations about things that mattered to them and their lives.  Always eager to explore the world, Gail traveled widely with her grandchildren, children, husband, and friends.  She thrilled in the chance to visit new people and places, including mountain-top Buddhist temples in Japan, underground coal mines in Iowa, and countless other fascinating destinations around the globe. Her sharp wit, contagious laugh, and youthful eagerness to try new things made her plenty of friends along the way. 

Gail regularly expressed gratitude and at times astonishment at the exceptional life that “this girl from Hackensack” was able to live. We learned from her, we loved her, and we miss her dearly.

The family invites friends to attend a memorial service celebrating GG’s life on Saturday, February 4, at 10am in the Chapel at Twin Lakes Retirement Community, 9840 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, Ohio.  A reception will immediately follow at the Kenwood Country Club. 

In lieu of flowers, Gail requested donations be made in her name to Twin Lakes, where she proudly lived for 11+ years, and Chapel Haven Schleifer Center for adults with disabilities, where her grandson, Andrew, lives and thrives.  Both communities and the wonderful people they serve were extremely important to her.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gail A. Kagler, please visit our floral store.