Gail Long

Maxine GAIL (nee Waye) LONG

1938-2024

It is with great sadness that we share the sudden passing of Gail on Monday
January 1, 2024, at Lakeridge Health Oshawa at the age of 85.
Loving mother to Dianne Long, Alan and Clare Long, Paul and Jacqueline Long,
Sandra Long and John Babister. Proud grandmother to Andrew Donnachie
(Mora Carruthers), Max Long (Alyx White), Emily Long, Russell Long (Christina
Kazienko), Alex Donnachie (Laura Grenon), Nate Long, and Cassie Long.
Adoring great-grandmother to Addison and Isabel Donnachie.
Survived by her siblings Chuck (Noreen) Waye, Bonnie Brazier, and Barbie
(Bob) Lang, and many beloved nieces and nephews who will remember her as
“Auntie Gail”.
Predeceased by her daughter Laura Ann Long, her brother-in-law Tom Brazier,
and by her parents Charles Milton Waye and Jean Lillian (nee Brooks) Waye.
Born in Toronto, Gail grew up in the Riverdale neighborhood and, after
attending Secretarial College, began work at the law firm of Borden, Elliott,
Kelly, and Palmer. Moving to Cambridge in 1969, she worked at Cambridge
Memorial Hospital for over 19 years in the Mental Health Clinic helping those
in the community. During her time there she achieved her dream of attending
University, graduating with her BA in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier, while she
also served on the Board of the YWCA for several terms. It was this mix of
working full time, completing her University degree, and volunteering in the
community - all while raising five children on her own - that earned her the
nickname “Superwoman” by friends and family alike.
Due to illness, Gail was forced into early retirement but, not content to sit idle,
after several years she started a new chapter of her life as a working actor in
advertising and TV commercials. She continued to be active in the community
joining the newly formed Women’s Probus Club of Cambridge Riverside where
she was an avid euchre player.

Gail relocated to Oshawa in 2018 where she spent the last years of her life.
While a resident of Hillsdale Estates, she enjoyed the weekly Zoom call with
family members and close friends Evelyn Dean and Bob Pugsley, Pat and Doug
Coulter, and Janet Simms-Baldwin. A special thank you to Ryan, Mary, Melissa,
Lisa Marie, Erika, Christine, Pearl, and all the staff of Hillsdale Estates for their
care of Gail during her final years.
Gail will be remembered for her warmth and care for others, her dedication to
her friends and family, and her unending ability to find the funny side of life.
In keeping with Gail’s wishes, cremation has already taken place. A Celebration
of her Life is planned for the spring of 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly
requests that donations go to the YWCA of Cambridge or to the CambridgeMemorial Hospital Foundation.