Gail J. Currier, IMHS Founding Member

Gail J. Currier, 82, of Shamong, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at her son’s home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 18, 1940, in Camden, NJ to the late Daniel Bates and Janet Koenig Bates.

Gail resided in Palmyra and moved to Medford Lakes as a young teenager with her family and relatives as the borough was being founded and growing. Gail met her future husband Wilfred, who lived a trail over, as he had also moved with his mother and father ,Wilfred and Dorothy (Matlack) Currier and Sister Louise Currier (Raigel) to Medford lakes at that time as well. Gail told wonderful stories of running through the sugar sand trails to their many Aunts Uncles and friends homes in Medford Lakes for daily visits. Uncle Vincent and Aunt Marjorie Koenig Berthoud, Aunt Lorna Bates to name a few were all just around the corner.. It was usually whoever was having the best dinners, had the most candy, any extra chairs for breakfast or having the biggest party that night. Gail, Wilfred and family spent many wonderful years of their life participating in the colony clubs canoe carnival and summer events enjoying friendships and adventures the area provided. Gail would tell stories of endless roast beef sandwiches with fresh baked rolls and bottomless kegs of root beer and real beer. All enjoyed at the homes of lower Aetna as the community celebrated the yearly summer carnival together – it was just a magical time for her, our father and our families. She would say the next gathering was usually just around the corner because it was Friday night again..she would talk of such wonderful kitchen smells coming down the street from all the log cabins…everyone was always cooking something delicious for any extra friends and children who might stop by…Gail and Wilfred continued on that with that family legacy by hosting many amazing dinners, barbecues, birthday parties, holiday gatherings and of course Gail’s famous Christmas Eve party open to all family and friends…what a wonderful loving and graceful energy she put out into the universe.

Gail’s father Daniel worked for the NJ Port Authority and her Mother Janet worked for the Medford Lakes School District as principal secretary…Gail attended Moore College of art in Philadelphia PA and was a amazing artist.
However, She never looked back after being hired by Mr. Kiki Konstantinos as his secretary for Lenape high school. She loved working in the community and after years with Lenape High School she joined Shamong Twp School District as principals secretary and worked with Mr. Wagner, Mr. Ray and Mr. Betz until her retirement….Gail considered everyone her extended family and she truly loved her time with the students, parents and colleagues. She took great pride in her long career working for the Lenape Regional School District.

Gail and her family were members of Cathedral of the Woods church in Medford Lakes. She married her teenage sweetheart Wilfred in a beautiful ceremony at the Cathedral of the woods ….and of course they had a great reception party at the Settlers Inn right across the street. Gail and Wilfred purchased an old farmhouse located in Indian mills (Shamong) from William and Isabel Brown and that started the next chapter of her life’s journal. She and Wilfred welcomed two loving children into this world, Wilfred and Monique. Her children’s lives have been blessed and shaped by their mothers lifelong grace, wisdom, humor, hobbies, easy laugh and all her endless love…Gail gave her children a life filled with her love and friendship, adventures and wonderful memories. Monique and Wilfred will forever be filled with their mothers devoted love, laughter and wisdom. They will carry her beautiful spirit forward with them throughout their life. Gail’s sisters, brothers and families have also been blessed to share in her love and warmth. She will now live on with them as well. A day will never pass by without mom’s loving spirit wrapping us in her strength and warm comfort.

Along with loving all animals, nature, Phillies & Eagles, gardening, reading, artistic endeavors, Red Lion Inn, Oyster Creek and Vesper Club, Ocean city, Long beach Island and a well made martini with a little cigar…she also truly loved history.

Gail was a founding member of the Indian Mills Historical Society and a member for over 50 years along with another founding member and one of her life’s greatest friends and extra sister Aunt Laura king. Gail created the artwork for the many limited edition plates and papers etc the Historical society used over the years…She loved her historical society friends dearly as they too were her extended family…Gail created wonderful memories for her husband and children as they all enjoyed together the yearly Atsion Day Flea Markets, meetings and life long friendships found through the societies gatherings…She loved her community and the families and friends in it. Gail was so very proud of all the accomplishments and friendships the Shamong Historical Society has made through out the years for her much loved home town.