Gayle Pilat- Memories

I worked with Gayle for many years. I really appreciated her sense of humor and her sense of silly. She maintained our crazy names list for the office and I can still remember laughing over the name “Female” with her. The Female was from a mom who thought the Hospital Medical Records named your child. I think we agreed the saddest name was “Little Green Russian.” She suggested we adopt an African child and we in the SSI unit did that together. She supported all our parties and Secret Santa activities and that made work a lot more fun which was not an easy thing to do.

Gayle was a talented musician and Tony and I went to hear her band and were very impressed. I always think of her creative side when I wear her jewelry which I still enjoy. I have sent a picture of my favorite pieces from Gayle. It is always sad to think of those we have lost but, what we need to remember is how our lives were enriched by having them with us on this crazy journey that is life. A friend shared a quote from a headstone she saw in Ireland and it expresses how I feel about losing Gayle. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Hedy Westra