Gail Hoffman

Gail Hoffman, 88, of Eastham passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 23, at Broad Reach Hospice.

Born May 9, 1935, in Pawtucket, R.I., Gail grew up in Seekonk, with her (late) sister, Nancy Carlson, of Eastham, and her brother, Donald Stevens, of Barrington, R.I. They were children of the late John Alfred Stevens and Elizabeth Fernstrom Stevens.

Gail is survived by her son, David Hoffman and his wife, Lisa, of Austin, Texas, daughter, Susan Adams and her husband, Malcolm, of Athens Ga.; grandchildren Kenneth, Robert and Hilary Adams.

Gail attended Roger Williams School of Nursing in Providence, R.I. to become a registered nurse. She received her M.Ed from Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA. Gail was a registered nurse for 37 years, mostly at Bournewood Hospital in Brookline, where she became Director of Nursing, working to improve mental health care.

She spent summers vacationing with family in Eastham, beginning in the 1960’s. In 1998, she retired and moved to Eastham where she spent the remainder of her life. Throughout retirement, Gail enjoyed nature, art, friends, volunteering, hiking, and traveling with her sister, Nancy, on Road Scholar excursions. Gail was an accomplished artist with a special interest in oil paintings. She served as a docent at the Cape Cod Museum of Art for many years and taught classes for Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) groups about the local artists of Cape Cod. Gail served two terms on the Eastham Human Services Advisory Board. Gail was involved in conservation of the land that borders the marsh and bay at the Eastham side of Rock Harbor from any proposed development. Gail rescued Diamondback Sea Turtles at the creek near her home as part of a program with the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, led by Bill Allen.

She enjoyed long walks on the outer Cape and participated in the local area hiking groups. Gail was involved with the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham for most of her retirement. She organized the weekly non-denominational public programs and took great pride in seeking out anyone involved in what makes Cape Cod unique. Gail is remembered by many for her ability to welcome new members and keep them returning and engaged.

A memorial gathering will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 17th, at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham. Donations in memory of Gail may be made to the Nauset Fellowship at the Chapel in the Pines, on their website, or mailed to Nauset Fellowship, P.O. Box 831, Eastham, 02642.