GAIL NEILSON - FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

Gail was a member of Atlantic Canada Motor Maids since its creation and a member of Eastern Canada Motor Maids before that.  She received her Silver Life Membership (25 years) award at the 75th Motor Maid Anniversary Convention hosted by the ACMM district in Moncton, NB, 2015.  She has been our inspiration, mentor, sister, storyteller, voice of reason and dear friend since meeting her through our love of motorcycling and the Motor Maids organization. Her stories and shared experiences will keep her in our hearts for an eternity.  Happy Trails, Gail! 

Thank you to Gail's family members who have been part of ACMM events on many occasions and kept us informed during her valiant battle with her illnesses.  Following is a message from her daughter-in-law, Marjorie (also a Motor Maid), and a copy of her obituary.

From Marjorie:
Rest in Peace Gail.

Thursday morning my mother-in-law headed out on her final journey. One that will last an eternity.
Last summer when Gail returned home from the Motor Maid convention in Santa Fe NM she was tired. She stayed close to home and spent time on the deck and around town with Ian. In November she was diagnosed with diabetes by her family doctor and was immediately subject to insulin twice a day. As it turned out this was a symptom of something else. On March 30th a CAT scan revealed a mass which was confirmed to be stage 4 pancreatic cancer. That was on April 18th. After that she slipped away from us a little more each day. On Thursday May 18th she passed away quietly.
Her wishes were to have an outdoor CELEBRATION OF LIFE later this summer, and she did not want it to interfere with riding season. We will work out those details later.
Also at her request, Randy will take her ashes for a short ride through the Village of Gagetown. Starting from St. John’s Anglican Church, no bumpy roads just a short ride with a few bikes lined up on either side on main street. We have this planned for Tuesday.
She was my Mother-in-law, my friend and one of my two best riding partners I’ve ever had, Randy being the other.
Words can’t express our loss.
I know we’ll have the support we need from her extended family and friends. I’m grateful for that, because we will need you all.
Marjorie
Motor Maid SL

Obituary from The Frederiction Daily Gleaner
In Loving Memory of Gail Margaret Neilson "Dragon Lady / Silver Fox"

Surrounded by her family after a brief, but courageous battle with Cancer, Gail Neilson entered into rest at the Fredericton Hospice on Thursday May 18th, 2017 at the age of 76 years. Beloved wife of Ian Neilson. Loving mother of Randy Neilson and his wife Marjorie as well as Shelley Laviolette and her husband Shayne. Cherished grandmother of Alysha and Jessica Laviolette. Sister of Ronald Keirstead and his wife Ruth.
She was predeceased by her parents, Wesley and Greta Kierstead of Atholville, NB.
Gail raised her family in Campbellton, NB where they were active skiers at Sugarloaf Park. She was employed at the Soldiers Memorial hospital and later moved to Saint John. She enjoyed her later years in the Village of Gagetown.
At the age of 50, Gail starting riding a motorcycle and travelled around North America on her Harley Davidson. In 2015 she received her Silver life award signifying her 25 year membership of Motor Maids Inc. Motorcycle Club.
A Memorial Service will be held for close family and friends at St. John’s Anglican Church, Gagetown, NB on Tuesday, May 23 at 2:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer. Details will be announced at a later date.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Wish Foundation or Fredericton Hospice.