Obituary of Gail Thomas Havens

Gail Thomas Havens of Tigard, Oregon passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at the age of 83 in Tualatin, Oregon. Born in West Haven, Connecticut and raised in Oxnard, California, with a number of years living in Anchorage and Seattle, Gail settled in for good in Tigard and Tualatin, Oregon where she lived since 1976. Gail was a graduate of Oxnard Union High School and she received both her Bachelor’s Degree and her Master’s Degree from California Polytechnic University. Gail was the daughter of Harry Burdette Thomas, Jr. and Mary Emma Stephens Thomas. Gail’s death followed that of her beloved siblings Harry Thomas and Bonnie Mathews, who both passed away in recent years.

Gail spent 20+ years as an elementary school teacher in the Tigard-Tualatin school district, from 1978 through 1999, teaching at Charles F. Tigard, Metzger and Phil Lewis Elementary Schools teaching several generations of second grade students. For years, Gail was a very active member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the local chapter of Oregon Retired Educators Association.

Gail lived a full and happy life, hosting and participating in numerous social events with her friends from her years of teaching (especially Rosie and Char) and her fabulous supportive friends – dubbed ‘the Girly Girls.’ Gail also loved to travel and over the past several decades took trips to Italy, Florida, Hawaii, the Mayan Riviera, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Colorado, Disneyland, Boston and Cape Cod, numerous trips to Las Vegas (she loved her penny slots!), and dozens of trips to her beloved Pueblo Bonito resort in Mazatlán, Mexico!

Gail spent her last ten months under the wonderful care of the supportive staff at Marquis Tualatin Assisted Living and their sister facility.

Gail is survived by her daughter, Jill Havens of Boston, Massachusetts; her son, Thomas Havens, of Carlton, Oregon; her daughter-in-law, Louise Johnson; her daughter-in-law Marlene Havens; her grandchildren Trask Havens, Jordan Semon and Morgan Semon; her nieces Renea, Rosalyn, Jennifer, Shannon and Andrea and nephews Michael, Richard and Paul and numerous great nieces and great nephews.

A memorial service has been planned for 11am on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the King City Club House Banquet Room at 15245 S.W. 116th Ave., King City (Tigard), Oregon 97224. COVID-19 Vaccination required. Gail’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Gail Havens New Teacher Scholarship Fund (checks payable to: “OREA” and mailed to OREA; PO Box 23668, Tigard, OR 97281)