Gail passed away on 25th November 2019, in her 83rd year, at Seaton Grove Care Home in Arbroath after a long illness, bravely borne.
Educated at Morgan Academy in Dundee, Gail graduated from Dundee College of Education in 1957. Her first teaching post was in Clepington School where she gained valuable experience in the Upper Primary School. Family commitments took Gail to England, where she taught for a short time before returning to Wormit.
In 1971, Gail was appointed as a part-time teacher in the Preparatory Department of the Junior School at the High School of Dundee. When a vacancy arose in L2 in 1978, she became a permanent member of our staff until her retirement in June 1997.
Throughout her teaching career across L2 and L3 classes, Gail was committed to fully developing the true potential of each and every pupil, thus promoting a feeling of self-worth along with a keen desire to learn.
Her love of the English Language was infectious and indeed enhanced the experiences of her pupils and colleagues alike. Gail’s happy disposition and generous nature endeared her to all those who had the pleasure of working alongside her.
Gail was a much-loved teacher, with her firm yet fair approach and her genuine caring and compassionate attitude towards all pupils. Alluding to her warm personality, a visitor to her classroom once remarked “Do you call every pupils ‘darling’ Mrs. Murray?”.
Throughout her retirement, Gail was able to devote more of her time to what she enjoyed most in life – reading, travelling and of course her family. She often combined all three.
Gail relished family holidays, particularly to the USA, and to spending time with her daughters, Carys and Wendy, both Former Pupils of the School and their families.
Carys now lives in Lancashire and Wendy in North Berwick, where Gail was a frequent visitor. Her four grandchildren, Lucy, Jonathan, Charlie and Alfie, loved her kindness, her generosity and her infectious sense of fun.
One of her final outings was to her eldest grandchild’s graduation ceremony at Lancaster University in July 2019. As she had always loved helping Lucy with her History and English homework, Gail (despite being in a wheelchair) was thrilled to witness her granddaughter receive her First Class Degree and prize for being an outstanding student.
For her family, friends and all who had the pleasure of knowing her, Gail’s absence is like the sky, spread over everything.
