Rachel Arlene (Rich) Gale of Storrs, CT, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Auntie, and friend passed on September 17, 2017 surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Glover, VT on May 13, 1923 to Alvah and Florence (Drew) Rich, Rachel enjoyed her early years in the communities of East Burke and Lyndon Center, VT and graduated from Lyndon Institute in 1941. She was employed at Vermont Tap & Die from 1941-1944. In 1944 she entered the military and proudly served as an Army Medical Surgical Technician until 1946. Her military service laid the foundation for decades of caring for others in times of need.
Rachel married Lyle E. Gale of Lyndonville on September 13, 1947. She and Lyle had two children and moved to Coventry, CT in 1952. She worked in food service and was a cook at the University of Connecticut independent dormitories. Rachel and Lyle moved back to Vermont in 1974 where they owned and operated a family restaurant in Norton. Joyful memories were made with their friends and the Gale family at their properties on Averill Lake, including annual family reunions that continue to this day. After her husband Lyle's passing, Rachel moved back to Connecticut to be near her daughter Linda and family. She lived at Juniper Hill Village Senior Housing in Storrs for 29 years where she was an active member of the senior community. She served on committees and headed many fundraisers to benefit the residents of Juniper Hill and was always there to help out a friend. In her spare time she enjoyed watching UConn Women's Basketball and the Boston Red Sox.
Rachel is predeceased by her husband Lyle and brother Philip Rich. She is survived by her daughter Linda Boardman and husband John of Mansfield Center, CT, son Richard Gale and wife Michele of St. Paul, MN, her two loving granddaughters and grandsons-in-law, Tracy Boardman and husband Adam Way of Brooks, ME and Carrie (Boardman) Generous and husband Scott of Chesapeake, VA, her deeply loved nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, and many dear friends.
Rachel's family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the devoted staff of Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation and Hartford Healthcare Hospice Care for their loving care and support.
There will be no services held in Connecticut. A Celebration of Life will be held in Vermont for family and close friends at a future date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Norton-Averill Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1, Norton, VT 05907, Attn: Franklin Henry or Hartford Healthcare at Home - Hospice Care, 1290 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 4B, Wethersfield, CT 06109.