CLINTON – Gail Iris (Steeves) Washburn, 75, of Clinton, passed away peacefully at home with her husband by her side after a long illness with Parkinson’s and Dementia.

She was born in Waterville on June 20, 1947, to Willard and June Steeves. She graduated from Clinton High School and then went on to receive a degree in History and English from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C. After college she became a teacher and taught in Boothbay Harbor. She left teaching to take on a few part time jobs including delivering mail for the post office as well as working at McDonalds. She ended her career by retiring from the post office after many years of service as a full time carrier in Oakland, Maine.

Gail was a funny, lively and intelligent person with a love of adventure, whether that was learning a new skill or craft or taking road trips with family for picnics in old forgotten graveyards or to “just get lost”. She loved reading and studying. She mapped out her family’s genealogy meticulously by visiting graveyards and town halls across the region. She loved riding to Lobster Lane Book Store to see if she could find her favorite authors. She had a great passion for children and shared her excitement for life with them through books as well as her love of horses. She spent many years working with children and horses at Camp Fairhaven in Brooks where she was able to minister to them through counseling and horseback riding. She was an active member of Clinton Baptist Church where over the years she taught many Sunday School classes as well as coached the volleyball team for the Christian School.

Gail’s love for children was evident in the way she doted on her nieces and loved them like they were her own children. She shared her excitement for life with them by sharing her love of books, movies, horses, and late night swimming adventures in the summer. She was sometimes strict and firm, but she also had a very tender and sensitive side.

Gail is survived by her husband of 31 years, Scott Washburn; son, Joshua Washburn and wife Andrea and their children, Aiden and EveLynn of Yorkville, Ill.; her daughter, Lacey Kilby and her son, Michael Kilby Jr of Edmunds TWP; her three sisters, Dale “Tootsie” Morin and husband Steve of Falmouth, Jill Sprague of Lincolnville, and Anne Lowe and husband Craig of Unity; four nieces, June “JJ”, Erin, Ina, and Morgan and their families; including many great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother, Woody Steeves; father, Willard Steeves; mother, June Kaska; and son-in-law, Michael Kilby Sr.

A celebration of life will be held at the Clinton Baptist Church on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at 11 a.m., with visiting from 10-11 a.m., including a light lunch and gathering following the service.

To leave a message of kindness or to share a memory, please visit http://www.shoreynichols.com.

Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial donations can

be made to:

Clinton Baptist Church

PO Box 1

Clinton, ME 04927

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