Gail Anne Fate

‘ello, Love

Everyone who knew Gilly has just now read those two words while hearing it in her warm, sweet voice.

Gail Anne “Gilly” Fate of Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, was born to Alice and Frank Lynch on February 7^th, 1953 at the Rock of Gibraltar.  She had the benefit of being introduced to many cultures and environments over the years, growing up in the family of an RAF (Royal Air Force) Flight Sergeant.

She came to Long Beach, California in 1981 where she was an Au Pair, then went into the restaurant industry, where her intrinsic light, magnetism, and quick, wicked Irish sense of humor grew lifelong friendships. In Costa Mesa, Pierce Street Annex was where she welcomed two of her brothers from England and through working met Joe, who would later become her husband. It is also where she formed deep and lasting friendships, especially a group she called “The Girls.”

From there, she attended Orange Coast College obtaining a degree in Interior Design where she further developed her eye for beauty and transforming living spaces into sanctuaries through lighting, design, antique sales, then high-end furniture sales and management.

In that life path was her marriage to Joe. Gilly was Joe’s true “gift from God.” Having met for the first time nearly 40 years ago at Pierce Street Annex, Gilly and Joe developed a strong friendship that grew into a romance shortly after they were both available.

Five years ago, it was time to relocate to the Piney Woods of East Texas, where Joe’s brother Mike established for them a new Fate family homebase, including Joe and Mike’s mother and step-father. Gilly and their mother developed a particularly deep mother-daughter bond. And in East Texas, Gilly and Joe found a treasured community of friends.

Being a lover of nature, gardening and animals of all kinds, Gilly quickly immersed herself in creating the beautiful home she and Joe purchased within a year of making Texas their home state. With a little encouragement from her close friend Debbie, Gilly pushed herself out of her “homebody” comfort zone and joined the quilting group, the kayak club and, most recently, volunteered for the Holly Lake Dog Shelter.

An important personal goal, held back for two years due to the pandemic, came to fruition in August 2022, when Gilly became an American Citizen.

She was always gracious and lovely to everyone but discerning of friends. Gilly was a powerful force of compassion and genuine empathy which surrounded and enriched her acquaintances, whether two-legged or four-legged, and she rescued many with her generosity and caring. Gilly left behind light, love, and beauty literally around the planet.

Gilly was preceded in death by her mother, her father, and younger brother Kevin.

She is survived by her husband Joseph “Joe” Fate, her daughter Jennifer “Jen,” granddaughter Bryana, her brothers Terence “Terry,” and Gareth “Gary,” his wife Ebru and children Brendan and Alana, her brother-in-law Mike, daughter Stacy, and Gilly’s nephew David.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please direct donations in Gilly’s name to the Holly Lake Dog Shelter, PO Box 21, Hawkins, Texas 75765.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Gilly at Holly Brook Baptist Church; 3219 FM 2869, Hawkins, Texas 75765, on July 15, 2023 at 4:00 PM.