Gail Therese Maloney

Gail Therese (Thomas) Maloney, age 80, of Rapid River, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 25, 2019, at Bellin Health Hospital.

Gail was born on May 7, 1939 in Escanaba, Michigan, the daughter of Christopher and Bertha (Anderson) (Thomas) Young, and step-daughter of Wayne Young. Gail was raised in Rapid River and graduated from Rapid River High School in 1958. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Chicago, where she worked in banking and for the railroad. She was united in marriage to Robert in 1960 and had twin daughters, Catherine (Gary) Deneau, and Deborah (Mike) Letourneau in 1962. Gail worked as the head counselor at Cook County Consolidation in Chicago until her retirement. Following her retirement in 1995, Gail moved back to Rapid River and lived with her sister Ann Thomas in their old family home for 25 years, and together they shared many years of memories.

Gail was a parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Rapid River. She lived a simple life and was not materialistic. Gail loved spending time with her family and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid Cubs fan, a lover of puzzles, a big reader, and enjoyed playing smear on Wednesday’s. In her younger years, Gail loved swimming, dancing, bowling, and playing softball. Throughout her life she traveled to many places, including Las Vegas, Colorado, Maine, Route 66, and of course back to the Upper Peninsula from Chicago for many years. But above all else, Gail valued her family and all of their time spent together the most.

Gail is survived by:
Twin Daughters: Catherine (Gary) Deneau of Rapid River, MI, and Deborah (Mike) Letourneau of Vassalboro, ME.
Brother: Harold Thomas of Chesterfield Twp, MI.
Sister: Ann Thomas of Rapid River, MI.
Granddaughters: Michelle (Jake) Denkins of Rapid River MI, and Dana Legel of Oakland, ME.
Step-Granddaughters: Sara (Garreth) Smith of Meriden, NH, and Lindsey (Justin) MacDonald of Fairfield, ME.
Great-Grandchildren: Jason and Kaleb of Maine, Jon, Brody, Colin and Lena of Rapid River, Krysta of Maine, Oliver of New Hampshire, and Blair, Bianca, and Bryce of Maine.
Great-Great Grandson: Jackson of Maine.
Gail is also survived by nieces Deb Peltier of Michigan and Carol (Ken) Mitchell of California, and a number of great nieces and great nephews.

Gail was preceded in death by:
Parents Christopher and Bertha (Anderson) (Thomas) Young, and step-father Wayne Young, former husband Robert W. Maloney, brothers Dennis Thomas, George Thomas, Christopher Thomas, and granddaughter Krysta (Legel) Bearor.

A graveside service is forthcoming at the Rapid River Cemetery for the spring of 2020. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Maloney family.