Gail L. Fischer

Age 84 years of Wilmington, IL passed away Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Sunny Hill Nursing Home in Joliet, IL.

Born in Duluth, MN, Gail moved to Wilmington with her mother and stepfather as an adolescent. She attended Wilmington grade schools, as well as Wilmington High School, where she developed a passion for theater. Gail graduated with the high school class of 1956. Following high school, Gail lived in Joliet, Chicago, and Park Ridge, before returning to Wilmington, IL after her marriage to Mark Fischer. She worked at St Joseph Medical Center in Joliet for 15 years, and her interest in arts and crafts took her to participate in many craft fairs, where she would sell her wares.

Gail became enamored with the study of antiques and after gaining significant knowledge on the subject, opened antique shops in Wilmington, Kankakee and Odell, IL under the name: Abigail's Antiques. This truly became a passion for her, and she amassed a significant library of research material. Throughout the years, Gail attended countless auctions and estate sales to acquire her treasures and befriend many other antique dealers.

She also became enthralled with researching the genealogy of her family. She took many trips back to explore her roots in Minnesota, and met with many living relatives along the way. During her journey, Gail met a historian from a history museum in Two Harbors, MN who had previously researched Gail's grandfather and his logging business. She was excited to learn the extensive information the historian had to share. Along with her research, Gail volunteered with a grave locator service she had been accustomed to using, to locate grave sites in Illinois for out of state persons.

Gail had a deep love for nature and spent many hours bird watching and watching deer in the local wildlife nature areas. In addition, Gail volunteered her time doing wildlife studies at nature preserves such as Goose Lake Prairie State Park.

Gail volunteered for several years with Big Brothers and Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties as a "Big Sister" to a young Wilmington girl. She found much satisfaction in this endeavor and believed that she was able to make a significant impact on this girl's life.

She had a fondness for gardening and kept a butterfly garden in her yard. She had numerous bird feeders along with natural feeder plants. She also was an avid reader and would seek enjoyment in the pages of her books.

After developing a devastating medical condition in 2012, Gail resided at Sunny Hill Nursing Home of Will County in Joliet, IL for nearly 11 years where she received outstanding compassion and expert skilled care. The great level of personal attention and love given her throughout those years undoubtedly contributed to her longevity.

Gail was the devoted wife to Mark Fischer for 43 years; mother to three boys: Dean Ambrose of Elgin, IL, Mark Ambrose of Des Plaines, IL, and Scott Ambrose of Elgin, and proud grandmother of Erik Ambrose and Jessica Ambrose. She is also survived by three brothers: Pat Duffy (Barbara) of Braidwood, Tom Duffy of Tinley Park, and Michael Duffy, Sr. (Beverly) of Lowell, Indiana, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Joan (the late Joseph) Stowell of Elgin, Pauline (Michael) Scoglietti of Appleton, WI, Allen Fischer of Florida and Arlana Fischer of Park Ridge, IL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gail was preceded in death by her grandparents; father, Russel Naslund; mother, Helen Duffy, Stepfather Daniel Duffy; brother, Ronald Naslund and her stepbrother, John Duffy.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Thursday morning, June 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street in Wilmington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Sebastian Gargol presiding.

Cremation rites will be accorded at the conclusion of the services, and Gail will be laid to rest in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Gail’s memory to Friends of Sunny Hill Volunteer Group or to Lightways Hospice.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Gail’s memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815-476-2181)