Gail E. Pennington

Gail Pennington passed away peacefully on July 6th, 2022 after a valiant battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Gail was born on October 13, 1949 in San Diego, California. She was the daughter of the late Marjorie J. (Baker) and John S. Pennington. Raised in southern California by her mother, she graduated from El Cajon Valley High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at San Diego. She moved to the east coast to attend Boston University School of Law from which she graduated in 1978. Gail married John Marshall on October 11, 1986. They were happily married for 35 years.

In 1965, her high school newspaper published the following description of Gail, which remained true her entire life: Gail "is 5'8" tall, has blonde hair, walks around with a big grin on her face and always has a twinkle in her hazel eyes." She lived for her family and their pet dogs (to wit: Buddy, Zeke, and Ava). She was always happy to welcome family and friends over with an unbeatable banana bread recipe and good music–preferably Joni Mitchell. She loved spending time in Truro on the beach, and as an adopted east coaster she was a loyal fan to all the New England sports teams. She was an avid bike rider, whether that meant completing the Pan Mass Challenge in 1985 or simply taking a leisurely ride with John and the girls up to the Charles River and back. Her skill as a card player was unmatched, particularly in the Pennington family game of Crazy Rummy. Gail also loved art: creating stained glass and painting were two of her favorite pastimes.

Gail was a dedicated attorney, specializing in trust and estate planning and often creating long-lasting friendships with her clients. She practiced at various firms in Boston, including Homans, Hamilton & Lamson and Verrill Dana. She retired in 2015.

Gail was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at age sixty-five and spent the last sixteen months at Adelaide of Newton Centre. Her family will be forever grateful for the wonderful care and attention given to her by the nurses, aides, and other staff at Adelaide.

She leaves her husband, John W. Marshall, and her daughters, Christina S. Marshall (Gary Santarpio) of Winchester, Alison C. Marshall of Boston, and Diana M. Marshall (Peter DiStefano) of Matunuck, Rhode Island; her grandchildren, Thomas and Eloise Santarpio and Catherine and Emily DiStefano; her siblings, Malcom Pennington (Shelley) of Oregon, Joan Porter (Jeffrey) of Virginia, and Sarah Evitts (Walter) of Montana; her sister-in-law, Patricia Gay (David) of Bourne; and many nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Gail's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20) on Thursday, July 14th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday before leaving in procession to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial is private.

Those wishing to view the broadcast (and recording) of Gail's funeral Mass please use this link: https://my.gather.app/remember/gail-pennington

Memorials in her name may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham