Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend Gail Ann Gerlach, 67, passed away on April 11, 2024, after a private, 4-year journey with metastatic breast cancer.

Gail didn't just fight metastatic breast cancer, nor did she lose her battle with it. She truly lived with it and beat cancer by living her life with true strength and joy. The way she carried herself will be something we will all reflect upon as we strive to honor her legacy.

Gail was born Dec. 26, 1956, to Kenneth Merrill Holsopple and Ruth Alene (Martell) Holsopple, the youngest of three and their baby girl. A former Sharon High School student until her junior year, Gail attended and graduated from West Middlesex Jr.Sr. High School in 1974.

Gail met and fell in love with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed man, Jack Leonard Gerlach. They married on Feb. 14, 1976, and raised two children, Joshua Alan and Jessica Alene.

Gail worked for First National Bank at the data center in Hermitage for 25 years before her retirement. She enjoyed the little things in life. The sun shining on her face, music, the stars on a clear night, flowers growing in her garden, and spending time with her family and friends. She had a green thumb, a love of reading and writing, a special place in her heart for animals, and a treasured sense of humor that we will miss dearly.

She was our rock, our roots, our home. She raised her children to be confident and gave us the courage to explore and grow. She walked alongside us as a mother and best friend, as we grew into adults, always there for advice and encouragement.

She is survived by her son, Joshua Gerlach, and his fiancée Heather McNamara of West Middlesex; her daughter, Jessica Glaser, and her husband Nicholas Glaser of Mercer; her three grandchildren, whom she loved with her whole heart, Tyler, Brady and Bianca; as well as her family and dear friends who she confided in during her journey.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jack; and her nephew Gregory.

If you feel that you would like to do something special in remembrance of Gail, we ask that you plant some flowers or a plant, tend to it, talk to it and encourage it to grow. This time of year was always a favorite of hers and had her wishing for warmer weather, beautiful blooms and green leaves. If you do not have a green thumb, you could donate, in remembrance of her, to an animal rescue or no-kill shelter of your choice. If she could have, she would have rescued them all.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 169 Second St., Fredonia.