Gail Gordner

Gail Louise (Blew) Gordner, 80, of Bradenton, Florida passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 28th, 2014 under the care of the Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton. Gail was born June 24, 1934 in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, PA, the daughter of the late Robert J. Blew, Sr. and Grace L. (Bagenstose) Blew. Gail spent her early years in Mahanoy City and later moved to Millville, Columbia County, PA. After graduating from Millville High School, Gail joined the U.S. Air Force and served in San Antonio Texas. Following her honorable discharge, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bloomsburg State Teachers College in 1959. Gail taught Special Education at Millville High School for a number of years. Pursuing her interest in teaching, travel and world cultures, in 1968 she moved to the Island of Guam and taught Reading and Language Arts at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School. While on Guam, Gail enjoyed traveling to nearby islands, including Saipan, Palau and Yap and one summer she traveled around the world, starting in Guam and ending there two months later. Gail's brother Ted joined her as a teacher on Guam in 1974 and her stepmother Wanda and sister Merry Beth visited for a year in 1975. In 1976, Gail moved to Florida and, for many years, taught Reading, Critical Thinking and Computer Science in the Palmetto School District. After retiring in 1995, Gail enjoyed spending time with her friends at Carlton Arms apartments and with her family during holiday trips to Pennsylvania. Gail was an expert seamstress, knitter and quilter and she spent many hours making treasured gifts for her family and friends and teaching others to do the same. Her Pennsylvania-Dutch home cooked meals were legendary and she made an unsurpassed version of Aunt Mabel's Creamed Cabbage. Gail's independent spirit, practical advice, patient mentoring and generous nature will be greatly missed by family, friends and the many students she inspired over the years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert J. Blew, Jr. and her step-mother, Wanda (Belles) Blew Mourey. She is survived by her sisters Kathy (Blew) Sharrow and husband, Roland, of Danville, PA and Merry Beth Blew of Harrisburg, PA; brother Ted Blew and wife, Victoria Kindt of Doylestown, PA; niece Molly Blew and nephew Ryan Sharrow and wife, Michele; and great nephews Riley, Ryder and Dylan Sharrow. Arrangements are under the direction of Griffiths-Cline Funeral Home in Bradenton. Interment and memorial services will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Gail's memory may be directed to the Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238. Condolences may be sent to the family, care of Ted Blew, 5791 N Deer Run Rd, Doylestown PA 18902.