Gail Mar Belisle was born in Fortuna, CA on May 24, 1971, growing up in nearby Scotia, the beloved unexpected baby of Vern and Beverly Belisle. Gail and this writer, niece Ericka (Lamb), became close friends as young children, attending Murphy Elementary, later both working in the field of healthcare and living as next-door neighbors during the last years of Gail’s life. Gail graduated from St. Bernard High in Eureka, soon after working as a certified nurse assistant at Seaview Convalescent. She later spent several years working with HCAR in Eureka where she gave her all and experienced a disabling accident. 

Gail’s greatest contributions in life were in overcoming fear of rejection by telling the world her deepest secret, that she was a man born in a woman’s body. She nurtured a monogamous partnership of 17 years with her sweetheart, Bonnie Mcmaines. Gail also made the world a more tolerable place with her gifts of laughter and joy, nearly every day of her life and every place she went. She had the knack for improvisational comedy and a mission for loving people unconditionally. She gave her heart and soul and received endless joy from spending time with her family, her partner, pets, and friends. Gail radiated extraordinary energy with anybody that she ever met. 

Gail recently became ill with pneumonia, her physical recovery complicated by cardiac arrest on June 2, 2015. She is survived by her partner Bonnie Mcmaines, her brothers Steve, Gary, and Vern Belisle, Billy Bell, Guy and Tony Lamb and her animals that she loved as her children. She leaves behind lots of extended family which include great-great nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind four beautiful grandchildren Damon, Angel, Harmoni, and Brian Linhares. Their mother, Malorie Yerkes, has become a part of Gail and Bonnie’s lives as if their own daughter. There are many hearts that will forever be touched with loving thoughts and memories of Gail Belisle.

Gail, may you forever shine- singing, smiling, and dancing till the end of time. You will always be loved and never forgotten.

Friends and family are invited to a safe & sober celebration of Gail Belisle’s life- we encourage everyone to wear their tie dyes in honor of her beautifully colorful life!  The celebration will include a potluck-style lunch and will be held at the Fireman’s Park in Scotia this coming Saturday, June 13th at 12:00pm.  If you would like to provide something for the community meal, please contact Mallory Yerkes at (707) 616-0805.

 Let’s all come together and laugh and cry, sharing loving memories that can never be taken away. Gail wouldn’t want any of us  to be sad, as a matter of fact, she would say, “Let’s all party like rock-stars.”

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to help cover the family’s memorial and ongoing expenses. http://www.gofundme.com/wapy3bs

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The above obituary was submitted by Gail Belisle’s friends and family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.