Gail Plunkett

Nov 23, 1927 -

Apr 2, 2023

Gail Plunkett, 95, died peacefully at Tranquility Manor Assisted Living in Palmer, Alaska, after a brief illness. Gail grew up on Staten Island, N.Y. She graduated from Tottenville High School in 1944, and began five years of daily commutes by train, ferry and foot to attend first Juilliard, where she studied with renowned bassoonist Simon Kovar, and then Manhattan School of Music, graduating in 1949 with both bachelor's and master's degrees in music, as part of the first class of students at that institution to receive degrees.

Although trained as a professional bassoonist, she worked an eclectic array of jobs over her lifetime: accounting work at West Point in the 1950s, elementary school teaching in the 1960s, working in human resources and then later as a grant writer and consultant at Dowling College on Long Island through the 1970s and 80s. She married twice, first to Leonard Adriance, from 1950-1957, and then to Richard Plunkett, with whom she had two daughters, from 1962 until his death in 2002.

While firmly rooted on Long Island, Gail became more peripatetic in older age, retiring to Virginia Beach, Va., in 1988, then moving to Fishkill, N.Y., in 2005, and finally to Wasilla, Alaska, in 2011. She loved travel and, when no longer able to do so herself, delighted in the adventures of her children, grandchildren and friends. Her life was characterized by an enduring curiosity; she took equal delight in a good mystery and a good recipe. She remained an avid reader, music lover and cruciverbalist throughout her life. She is survived by daughters, Drusilla (Ryan) Hose and Prudence (Fred) McKenney; and beloved grandchildren, Devlin and Faedra Hose.

At her request, there will be no service. She asked that those who wish to remember her gather on occasion, martinis in hand, to celebrate her life.