GAIL ADELA KIRK (nee Malmgren)
January 7, 1941 - May 17, 2008
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gail Kirk in the early hours of May 17th at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, B.C. Gail was her strong and determined self to the end, but was finally overcome due to complications after a valiant fight with cancer.
Gail was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, the oldest daughter of George Malmgren (1977) and Rose Malmgren (nee LaMarche, 1995). She was sister to Eric LaMarche, Keith, Ruthann, Milton (1996), Dale, Lyall, and Glenys Malmgren.
Gail married Russell Kirk in 1965 in Terrace B.C. She was mother to Kevin,(his wife Janet) Karyn Kofoed (Kirk) ( her husband Dave), Cheryl and Cory Malmgren, as well as many other stray cats, dogs, ferrets and people throughout the years.
Gail started her working career as a hair dresser and moved up to a telephone operator for Alberta Government Telephones (AGT) though she continued hairdressing as a side line in Vegreville Alta. When her brother Keith was married in 1964, she met Russ with whom she fell in love. Upon moving to Terrace, she transferred from AGT to BC Tel working there for another 7 years.
After 17 years with Canada Manpower and Immigration, she transferred to the RCMP as a radio dispatcher.
This was a career she thoroughly enjoyed before she regretfully retired after 30 years of federal service due to ill health. Here she was known as “Mom” to all that knew her, both in uniform and to even a few who were not. Dispatching for various outlying detachments in the Skeena and Bulkley Valleys, it was nothing for an officer in Smithers to acknowledge with an “OK Mom” or “10-4 Mom”
She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Meagan and Merzedese Kirk, Blair, Lindsay and Taylor Kofoed, as well as her innumerable friends and family.
A memorial service is planned in Terrace for 3pm on Saturday, May 31st at the Terrace Curling Rink 3210 School Street, Terrace, B.C. V8G 5L9 Phone: 250-635-5583
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in the name of Gail Kirk
to the Canadian Cancer Society.