Gail McDonald, resident of Hythe, AB, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022, at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, at the age of 79 years.

Gail was born in Edmonton, AB, in 1943 to Nick and Helen Batt. She was raised in Rocky Lane, AB, with her sister, brother, and a huge extended family. In 1962, after leaving the family farm and venturing out on her own, she was working at a café in High Level, AB, when in walked Orlin. The two hit it off immediately and were married in Peace River, AB, in June of 1964.

In 1968, their next chapter started when they moved to Edmonton; Robin was born in 1971, and Jody in 1974, she had her hands full. As the girls started school fulltime, Gail started to work at a local daycare until 1985 when they decided it was time for a change. Their change took them north to a farm in Lymburn, AB. Gail loved farm life, the animals (always so many animals), the gardening, and the flower beds, she was in her element. Eventually she got a job working as a housekeeper at the Hythe Hotel. She was there for several years and enjoyed many amazing friendships. In June of 1995, they bought an acreage of their own by Hythe, AB. Gail was working at the Northern Lights Ranch by this time, she loved the residents and the people she worked with.

Gail filled her time with the things she loved: spending time with her family, her numerous pets, endlessly fixing up their acreage, her garden, mowing the lawn, her flower beds, and her shows.

Gail will be profoundly missed by her daughters Robin (Grant) and Jody (Derrick); grandsons Josh (Ashley), Quentin, and Tristan; great-grandson Greyson; sister Carolyn; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.

Gail was predeceased by her husband Orlin; her grandson Wyatt; her parents; as well as her brother.

A Celebration of Gail’s Life will take place on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 1:00pm, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005-107 Ave.). Memorial Donations may be made to Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society (204, 10134 97 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 7X6).