Gail Messercola

Gail (nee Natale) Messercola, age 84, of Wayne, passed surrounded by her loving family.

Gail was born in Paterson to Fred and Flora Natale. She attended Central High School, where she graduated with the Class of 1959 and proudly served as a Drum Corps Majorette. It was there that she met her future husband, Louis Messercola, who was also a member of the Drum Corps. High school sweethearts from the start, Gail and Louis shared many memories together — including attending their prom side by side.

Gail and Lou fell deeply in love and were married on August 28, 1961, at St. Mary’s Church in Paterson. Their wedding celebration was held at the Villa Nova Restaurant, in Garfield, surrounded by family and friends. The newlyweds honeymooned in Bermuda before beginning their life together. Their loving and devoted marriage was blessed with two children, Louis and Susan, who became the heart of their world.

Gail began her career working at her family’s shoe factory in Paterson before joining the Nabisco Corporation in Fair Lawn as a secretary. After becoming a mother, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her children. Once Louis and Susan reached elementary school, Gail returned to the workforce as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Township of Wayne. She served the community with dedication and professionalism for more than thirty years, retiring in 2005.

When describing Gail, the words family and faithful come immediately to mind. She was the kind of mom and “Gamma” who would insist you eat something—offering food until you finally gave in. Though she wasn’t fond of cooking, she often joked that the best thing she made was reservations. Gail liked to say that the only two things she needed in the kitchen were a phone and a refrigerator.

The phone was essential for two of her favorite activities: making reservations and calling family. Her cheerful calls always began with the familiar greeting, “This is your charming—mother, Gamma, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, cousin,” or whichever endearment fit the occasion. The refrigerator, meanwhile, kept her Tab soda and Fiji water cold.

Gail loved to start her mornings with the newspaper, reading it cover to cover before officially beginning her day. Always a lady, she had her hair done once a week without fail, carried herself with grace and poise, and—much to the delight of her grandchildren—made sure they learned every colorful word in her vocabulary. She cherished her daily two-mile walks with her neighbors, could remove a stain from almost anything, and kept her home spotless—a reflection of the care and pride she brought to everything she did.

For her grandchildren, there were no limits to what Gail would do. It was often said that she truly lived for their happiness. Every year she hosted Christmas at Gamma’s—a cherished family tradition filled with laughter, excitement, and love. At Thanksgiving, she would hand each grandchild a Toys “R” Us or Target Wish Book and have them circle everything they wanted. She’d then collect the books and, come Christmas, each grandchild would find a mountain of gifts under the tree—every wish list fulfilled with her trademark thoughtfulness.

Gail also had a special way of making even the smallest occasions memorable. For every imaginable holiday, she sent each grandchild a card—always with a $5 bill and a cheerful smiley face inside. Birthdays at Gamma’s were equally magical: the birthday child would be showered with gifts, while the other grandchildren received their own small presents—perhaps a bag of snacks, a cozy hat and scarf, or something she knew would make them smile. It was her way of spreading joy evenly, making sure no one ever felt left out.

Gail was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith. For countless years, she and Lou faithfully attended Saturday evening Mass at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne, where she also volunteered her time in service to the parish community. Their Saturday nights became a cherished ritual—after Mass, they would head out to dinner, often joined by family or close friends, sharing good food, conversation, and laughter. It was a simple tradition, but one that reflected the love, faith, and fellowship that defined their lives together.

Gail was the loving wife of sixty-four years to Louis “Lou” V. Messercola; she was the devoted mother of Susan Bio and her husband Nino of Montville and Louis Messercola, Jr. and his wife Francesca of Wayne and; she was the cherished grandmother of Sebastian, Anthony, and Nicholas Bio and Daniella, Louis and Lucas Messercola.  Gail was predeceased by her sister Marie Meyers in 2023. She will be dearly missed by her caretaker of the last seven years Milica.

Gail was also the reluctant grandmother of her beloved “granddogs,” Zeke and Vienna. She would often protest when they greeted her with enthusiastic licks, claiming to hate it—but, of course, she loved them anyway. Her gentle affection for them was just another sign of the big heart she carried for all members of her family, furry ones included.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Jude Children's Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated.