Gail Hedge Keefe, loving caring mother and wife, crossed over Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 at 12:15 a.m. at UNC Hospice in Pittsboro, N.C.
She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Keefe Jr.; her daughter, Rachel Keefe Jacobs; and son, Matthew Keefe. She also leaves behind three grandchildren, Owen, Andrew and Caroline Jacobs. Also surviving her are her mother, Ivy Hedge; and her siblings, Terri Marshall, James Hedge Jr., Serita Parlette, Cindy Hurley, and Renee Embrey.
Gail was strong and intelligent, always doing for others what was needed. She was born in Fredericksburg on June 3, 1954, to James and Ivy Hedge. In 1974, she moved to Richmond and met William at the MCV Library, where a romance was taken up and a marriage ensued.
She has always been a teacher and through the years she has left an indelible mark on her students teaching at Richmond Montessori School, a preschool at Lower United Methodist Church, and Greensboro Montessori School.
She and William moved to Reidsville, N.C. to be near their grandchildren. She was a very proud “Nanny” to the children. Gail always had a way with children. She could walk into a crowd and children would walk up to her and trust her instinctually, it was a true gift.
She succumbed to pancreatic cancer, but left many behind friends from many walks of life who will miss her dearly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made the American Cancer Society.
A funeral service is planned for 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 at Lower United Methodist in Hartfield with interment following in the church cemetery.
