M Gail Dunn

M. Gail Dunn (1938-2025) died Aug. 31 in Bluffton, SC, from complications of Alzheimer's. She was 87.

Born in New England to Lester Ramsay, a carpenter, and Mary McLeod of Prince Edward Island, Gail grew up in Hingham, Mass., where she fished with her father, roller skated, and explored the woods with her dog Buster. After graduating from Hingham High School, she took a number of secretarial jobs at companies including Howard Johnson, where she worked in the general counsel's office.

In 1964 she married James Dunn of Braintree, Mass., who was just starting his career at General Motors. Together they moved from state to state in the US, wherever work led them. Along the way they had two children, Jennifer and Andrew. Jim's job took them overseas in the late 1970s, and for the next two decades Gail made a home for her family in Spain, the Netherlands, Egypt, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, England and France. Wherever they went, Gail immersed herself in the local language, cuisine and culture, whether riding horses in the shadow of the Great Pyramid or hiking in the Alps with her husband.

After Jim retired, he and Gail settled in Beaufort, SC, and made the Lowcountry their forever-after home. There, they walked along the beach, visited with their grandkids, and enjoyed the sunshine and warm weather. Gail was a friendly neighbor to all and devoted her time to the care, feeding and adoption of some very lucky cats, while also looking after Jim during his battle with Parkinson's. He died in 2018.

Gail is survived by her two children and four adoring grandchildren. May her memory be a blessing to all who crossed her path.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to send a donation in her memory to the Humane Association of the Lowcountry.