AUBURN — Gail Phoenix of Auburn, left gently, surrounded by her family on Friday morning, Jan. 28, at The Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn.

Gail was born on Jan. 6, 1949, in New Jersey, the daughter of Richard and Jessie Phoenix. She grew up in Iowa with three sisters and one brother.

She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in history and education. She moved to Maine with her husband and daughter in 1979, where she worked for York – Cumberland Housing and then the City of Auburn. Her work was always to assist with housing and community needs so that people of Maine could have better lives. Of the grants she wrote totaling over 3.2 million, she was most proud to secure funding to develop the Boys & Girls Club in Auburn.

Before moving to Auburn, Gail resided in Gray for 20 years where she was an active member of the Town Council and Planning Board. In the late 1980s, she was appointed by Gov. McKernan to serve on the Maine Affordable Housing Task Force and create a statewide plan. In Auburn, she served on the Comprehensive Plan Committee, Auburn Democrats and the Board of Directors of Community Concepts, Inc.

She loved music and her time as flutist with the Auburn Community Band. She loved to travel, play bridge, and spend time going to movies, plays and concerts with friends. She was a history buff, reading voraciously in that genre.

She is survived by her only child, Jackie Walker; her grandchild, Logan; as well as sisters, Peg Payne and husband, Lonnie, of California, Nancy Reed and husband, Martin, of Iowa, Barbara Phoenix and husband, Thomas Mahoney, of Connecticut, and brother, Jim Phoenix, of California. They, as well as her nieces and nephews, and her wealth of friends, will dearly miss her generous nature and sense of humor.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with Gail’s family by visiting their guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.