ForeverMissed
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On June 9th, 1935, Gail Maxi Ferrara (aka McClusky to her father), was brought into this world. She was a precocious child whose intellectual curiosity was perhaps only topped by her zest for life. She was a Daddy's girl, no doubt about it. She loved to swim and dance. She loved Georgetown and riding her bike. She loved her family and God. And oh how she loved music and sports. 

She played touch football with Gene Kelly; lived across the street from President Roosevelt (Teddy) @ 34th and O; and got rides to school when it rained by Jean Turney's Chauffer driven car.

By all standards Gail grew up too fast when she met a young sailor named Dave Harris and fell in love. Just before her 15th birthday, Gail and Dave ran off to Maryland to be married. After simply lying about her age, they honeymooned at Glen Echo Amusement Park and she had frog legs for the first time at O'Donnell's seafood restaurant in D.C. 

While at the Park some schoolmates noticed the ring on her finger and tattled on her to Sister Roberta. When news got back to her father she was promptly kicked out and dropped out of school. (That didn't last long as the first grandson came along less than two years later and all was forgiven.)

Gail started making babies but her natural musical talents, a family tradition, led her to work as a singer for RCA records, working in nightclubs all over Georgetown and DC. By all accounts she was amazing. But family always came first so she gave up the singing career and traveled all over the U.S. following my Dad’s employment opportunities. 

The babies kept coming, seven in total, but the marriage failed and Gail found herself with no high school diploma and an ex-husband who was less than forthcoming with consistent financial support. But she was a fighter, she was born that way. So at the age of 47 she got her GED and began classes at the local community college – all while working and raising the remaining children at home.

After mastering her academic performance for her AA she went on to a private college – Mt. St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD - and earned her bachelor’s degree. Her achievements were so grand that all the area papers ran stories about her and she was the only graduate of Frederick Community College ever invited back to be the commencement speaker.

Jobs came and went but Gail always found a way to provide, while coaching her children’s championship softball teams I might add. She worked with disabled adults and juvenile “delinquents;” she counseled prisoners and helped fight addiction within the family and without. And just to keep things hopping she also backpacked through Europe … alone.

She made the best spaghetti sauce and eggplant parm on the planet. She loved black truffle butter; angel hair pasta; Jazz, Big Band, and the Standards; Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald; the Washington Redskins; the Orioles and the Nationals; the Ocean; children; California; Video Village; Blackjack; fuzzy socks; Foster's beer; baked brie; Malibu rum and pineapple juice; Al Pacino (va va voom); books; New York thin crust pizza with extra sauce; singing; breakfast; crossword puzzles; playing the Ukele; Rummikub; the atmosphere at a bar during a football game; Boston Legal; getting pizza with her cousins; Ally McBeal; lazy sundays; sushi rolled with rice paper; flirting; her steaks rare; spending time with her family; her grandchildren; Diva from Geneva OPI nail polish; egg foo yung; being on the water in any kind of boat; coffee and a paper in the mornings (especially the USA Today); receiving cards; giving gifts ... God. (feel free to add your own as well)

Gail Maxi Mary Mildred Regina Ferrara Harris was my mother, my friend, my adventure companion, and my greatest love and support. She lived out the last years of her life experiencing all that life had to offer and I was blessed to be by her side and in her heart. 

Gail died five weeks to the day after being diagnosed with lung cancer. She left a huge hole in this world but also a legacy of unconditional love; fiery verve; and a heartfelt desire to truly LIVE.

Today I celebrate my Mom and the gift she brought to this earth. 
Today I send out all my love to her wherever she is with hope that she is truly happy, truly loved, and truly at peace. 

Until Forever Runs Out - Your Nene

June 9, 2023
June 9, 2023
Happy birthday Momma, loved you then, love you now, will love you forever.
April 5, 2022
April 5, 2022
10 years ... seems impossible that you've been gone 10 years today. Maybe it's because you're never really gone. Maybe it's because you're in my heart every moment ... I still hear your voice, your cool hand when my head burns, your soft touch when I'm in pain. I hear you cheering me on and calming me down. You are the better part of my judgment and the best part of my past. 

You are more than just with me, I am a reflection of you, the shadow of your smile, an imperfect echo of your joy, the culmination of your life. For that I'll be forever grateful. Love you now and always.
June 20, 2018
June 20, 2018
thinking of you so much lately and wondering if Frank is with you and Dan and Daddy. Love you and hope that one day I can see your beautiful smile again.
April 5, 2017
April 5, 2017
Five years since I last heard you laugh or felt the warmth of your hugs. 1,825 days with a hole in my heart and a void in my life so large I sometimes get lost inside of it. Some days I can think of you and smile. Sometimes I can even laugh at some of the amazing memories we share. Other times I can't let myself think of you for longer than a moment because the pain buries me. I don't know where you went - I don't even know if you went anywhere in particular or if you just went away - but I know that I wish more than anything in the universe that I could visit you for just a moment. Just one more moment. I love you Mom and I try so hard to be the daughter you raised but it's damn near impossible sometimes. Without you the world seems so much colder. But each time I get down I remind myself whose daughter I am and I hold my head high, put one foot in front of the other, and keep on going. Until we meet again, my love always.
April 6, 2016
April 6, 2016
Such a fulfilled life. I wish we had known each other. I would have liked to have you as a friend. But Sushi? Your daughter is much like you. I value her friendship.
June 9, 2015
June 9, 2015
Happy Birthday Momma ... I miss you so much. My love for you never waivers, my longing for you never fails. Today and every day you are cherished and loved beyond measure.
May 11, 2013
May 11, 2013
Thinking about mom a lot this weekend. It's hard knowing she's not there to call tomorrow. I love and miss her very much.
May 10, 2013
May 10, 2013
I posted a picture of my Mom on facebook, at the Beach Club in California she loved so much and here's the tribute she received:

"Your mom was the life of the party!! I always think of her when I have a cadillac marg!! xoxox Jen Prince"
May 10, 2013
May 10, 2013
"My sincerest sympathies on your moms passing. I knew her as a wonderful, straight forward and truly kind person. I can remember her smile as we had good times and drinks at "the bar." I am sending her my "thanks" right now." - Bryan P.
April 13, 2013
April 13, 2013
Wonderful tribute. I hope my children think of me with such glowing terms. Your Mom raised a lovely daughter.
Newest friend in Berkeley Springs, Pat Steers
April 8, 2013
April 8, 2013
My mom had a zest for life that she luckily shared with me. I'll always remember her and forever miss her. Everyday I spend enjoying the company of my family and friends, I make tribute, my joy of living with her memory. I love my mom and miss her very much.

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Recent Tributes
June 9, 2023
June 9, 2023
Happy birthday Momma, loved you then, love you now, will love you forever.
April 5, 2022
April 5, 2022
10 years ... seems impossible that you've been gone 10 years today. Maybe it's because you're never really gone. Maybe it's because you're in my heart every moment ... I still hear your voice, your cool hand when my head burns, your soft touch when I'm in pain. I hear you cheering me on and calming me down. You are the better part of my judgment and the best part of my past. 

You are more than just with me, I am a reflection of you, the shadow of your smile, an imperfect echo of your joy, the culmination of your life. For that I'll be forever grateful. Love you now and always.
June 20, 2018
June 20, 2018
thinking of you so much lately and wondering if Frank is with you and Dan and Daddy. Love you and hope that one day I can see your beautiful smile again.
Recent stories

Mother's Day 2016

May 8, 2016

Happy Mother's Day Momma

As each year passes I keep hoping that somehow I'll miss you a little less but that just doesn't happen. Today and every day I celebrate the amazing mother that you were. I was beyond lucky to have you in my life. To feel your unconditional love and acceptance. To know, with a certainty beyond anything imaginable, that you would always be there for me. No matter what. You made mistakes, it's childish to think a human being wouldn't, but you never stopped trying and overcoming for us. I hold onto the memory of that love and the adventures we shared. I try to be the person you believed in, the person you loved. I hope that in some small way I reflect to the world even 1/10th of the lessons you taught me. Thank you for being my Mom. Forever your Nene

4 Long Years.

April 5, 2016

How do I commemorate each year without you?  What could I possible say or do or scream or sing that would capture what it feels like to spend every day of my life without you?  Should I just post the same pain, the same memories, the same sorrow and the same brief moments of captured joy that keep me going or do I start trying to replace that with something else, something different, something new ..... but that's just it Mom, there is nothing new. That's the problem.  I want something new with you.  I want new stories to tell and new memories. And if I can't have that then I want pictures I've never seen before, videos of you that I didn't know existed. I want to find a note from you hidden away like a treasure waiting to be discovered.  I want new because I've already memorized every photo, every card, every note of your singing.  I re-read your stories. I go to Georgetown and re-walk your steps.  I sing your songs. I crave something new because I know I'll never be able to create anything new with you ever again and I can't stand that. I hate that.  And some of the smaller memories are started to fade, slipping across the sky like wispy clouds riding on some unseen wind - out of my control.  And each time I have trouble remembering something small, some gesture or look, your favorite coffee, anything at all, it feels like I'm losing you all over again.  I know, I know. You'd tell me that's just silly. You'd say that you lived your life and now I must live mine. You'd say you want me to move on and be happy. You'd tell me to hold onto the happy memories and leave the rest behind.  Make you a deal - come say that to my face and I will.  

3 Years

April 6, 2015

3 years. I can't believe you've been gone for three years Mom.. I miss you so much. We toasted you all day yesterday and had margaritas in your honor. I know you would've loved the whole day - I wish we could still have our adventures together. I even climbed up on a piano and sang, pretending for a moment to be you as a youngster, singing in a club in Georgetown. Of course, I was completely drunk and sounded terrible but it was in your honor and I know you would've laughed so hard!  

I wish I could tell you all about my life. I wish I could hear you sing Happy Birthday and call me your peanut. I wish so much but more than anything I hope that you are somewhere with the souls you love so much. I hope that Danny is there with you and that Easter isn't a sad day for him anymore. It's hard to have the anniversary of your death and his fall on the same day but I take comfort in my hope that you are together dancing through the stars and playing songs on the sunbeams.


You are thought of every single day and always will be. I carry you in my heart and hear you in my head. You are the smile in my eyes and the giggle on the tip of my tongue. Forever together - no matter what.  

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