Gail Anderson Ladd

WATERVILLE – Gail Anderson Ladd, 87, of Waterville, Maine, passed away on Jan. 9, 2026. She was born March 11, 1938, in Wilkinsburg, Pa., the only child of Carl and Ann Anderson.

Gail graduated from Waterville High School in 1955 and the Massachusetts General Hospital nursing program in 1958. She earned her BS degree from Thomas College in 1968. Over the years, Gail practiced her nursing skills in many capacities including Thayer Hospital and Colby College in Waterville.

Gail met her best friend and husband Charlie when she moved to Waterville at the age of 13. They married on Sept. 13, 1958. Together they raised their four children and traveled the world. Gail particularly loved islands and spent at least one night at 67 different ones. She traveled to every country in Europe and she traveled with purpose. Every trip was carefully researched and planned. Once home, Gail diligently recorded each trip with journals and photographs.

Gail absolutely loved her home. She spent hours making her home both beautiful and welcoming. She was an artistic person who sewed, wall papered, stenciled, knit, quilted, needlepointed and whatever craft became in vogue. She even made a hand knotted wool rug. She never stopped, and everything she did was done with precision. She did not just sew clothes. She added monograms or embroidery or appliques to make each item special.

Gail loved her friends. And once you were in her life, you were there to stay. She kept in touch with her grammar school best friend, her high school best friends, her college friends and everyone else that she met along the way. Even if you moved out of town, she kept in touch. She loved meeting people. Charlie loves to say that when they left Greece, he did not think there were three people in the country that did not know they were celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Gail loved to entertain. She hosted a cookie swap every Christmas season for over 50 years. She had porch parties, dinner parties and card parties. Every event was planned, from the napkins to the decor.

Gail loved antiques. She studied them. She and a group of friends formed “The Waterville Antique Club”. This special group of ladies met monthly for many years with the members taking turns preparing a presentation. Gail had a booth at the Fairfield antique mall. She loved everything about it from the sourcing of the inventory to the presentation of her wares.

Her legacy of love, friendship and spirit of adventure will live on. She is survived by her husband, Charlie Ladd; her son Kevin Ladd and his wife Carolyn of Smithfield, her daughter, Kimberly Taylor and husband Ed of Chestnut Hill, Mass. and son Eric Ladd and wife Jennifer of Little River, S.C.

She is also survived by grandchildren Timothy Ladd and wife Maring, Kasey Catterlin and husband Michael, Daniel Taylor and wife Kerry, John Taylor and wife Katelyn, Shannon Bowden and husband Caleb, Alyssa Ladd, Carly Ladd and Thomas Ladd. Great-grandchildren are Lenny Taylor, Jack Taylor, Sophie Bowden, Samuel Catterlin and Maeve Taylor.

Gail was predeceased by her daughter, Heid Pacheco.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed; condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.