Gail Downs, 89, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts passed away on May 6 at Southwood at Norwell Nursing Center after a lengthy illness. Born in Braintree Massachusetts on December 4, 1936, Gail was the only child of Daniel W. and Clarice M. (Cutcliffe) Griffin. 

Gail graduated from Braintree High School in 1954 and Wheaton College in 1958 with a degree in French. After finishing college, Gail worked as an executive secretary at the Spaulding-Moss Company in Boston. She also worked for the South Shore Council of Camp Fire Girls in the 1970’s and 1980’s. She was an international sales specialist at the Advanced Instruments Company in Norwood from the early 1990’s until her retirement in 2007.

Gail’s favorite jobs were as a mother and grandmother; she instilled a love of books, reading, libraries and dolls in both her daughter and granddaughter. Gail volunteered as a Camp Fire leader for many years. She took her first of countless trips to Acadia National Park in 1977. Acadia in all seasons was Gail’s favorite destination; she and her family explored the natural landscape while hiking, biking on the carriage roads and kayaking on the many ponds. Gail enjoyed tea at the Jordan Pond House and cherished the opportunity to see a perfect sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Gail was a lifelong animal lover. Her silver standard poodle, Noel Silver Bell, born on Christmas day in 2006, was the retirement present Gail and her husband gave each other. Noel was Gail’s constant companion for 14 years.

Gail and her husband, the late Otis K. “Bud” Downs, were married for 51 years; they were soul mates who met as children at their families’ summer cottages on White Island Pond in Wareham. 

Gail is survived by her daughter Deborah Grimmett and husband Randal, of Bridgewater. She was the beloved grandmother of Amy Grimmett.

Calling hours are scheduled at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street, Whitman on Tuesday May 12 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM; a brief service will follow at 7:00 PM. Burial will be private, at a later date.

In honor of the lifelong joy Gail found in reading and libraries, or to celebrate her love for the beauty of Acadia National Park, the family welcomes memorial donations to the Friends of the Abington Public Library (600 Gliniewicz Way, Abington) or the Friends of Acadia (45 Cottage Street. P.O. Box 45. Bar Harbor, ME. Friendsofacadia.org) in lieu of flowers.