Gail Whitmore

Jul 15, 1939 -

Apr 30, 2026

Gail Esther Whitmore, 86, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska, following a courageous six-month battle with cancer.

Gail was born on July 15, 1939, in Clovis, Calif. She met her future husband, Larry, at Sierra High School in 1953, and the two later married in 1961, after both earning their degrees from Long Beach State University.

In 1967, Gail and Larry embarked on what was originally intended to be a three-year Alaska teaching adventure. Instead, Anchorage became their beloved home for the next 59 years, where they built a beautiful life rooted in faith, family and friendship.

A devoted educator, Gail taught mathematics for many years in the Anchorage School District at Dimond/Mears, East/Benson and Wendler Junior High Schools before retiring in the mid-1990s. She was deeply respected by students and colleagues alike for her intelligence, patience and caring nature.

Gail had a strong and enduring faith and was a longtime member of Anchorage Grace and Grace Community Churches, as well as Kona Baptist Church in Hawaii.

Though she often said she never liked the cold, Gail grew to deeply love Alaska and its breathtaking beauty and wildlife. She especially loved animals and found joy in nature's many wonders. In retirement, Gail and Larry were blessed to spend extended time at their condo in Hawaii, where she cherished the lush tropical beauty, peaceful surroundings and island lifestyle.

Above all else, Gail loved her family. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and proud grandmother whose warmth, optimism, quick dry wit and welcoming smile touched countless lives. Much of her life was centered around caring for and spending time with those she loved most.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Whitmore; parents, Stuart and Ruth Armstrong; and brother, Roy Armstrong.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Larry Whitmore; daughter, Lora Nordstrom (Ben); grandchildren, Owen, Matthew, Anna and Evan Nordstrom, and Nathan and Ryan Whitmore; and cherished extended family members, Rick Steiding (Joy), McKenna Collins-Steiding and Sharyl Steiding.

A memorial service celebrating Gail's life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., at Anchorage Grace Church, 12407 Pintail Street in Anchorage.