March 15 2024
Gail P. (Hawkins) Chaffee, aged 80, of Norwell, who lived in Hingham for 50 years and grew up in Hanover, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2024 at home surrounded by loved ones. She was the beloved wife of the late Paul N. Chaffee for 33 years and the late William A. Thompson for 5 years; the loving mother of Melissa (Chaffee) Crawford and husband Gregory of Portland, OR, Mark N. Chaffee and wife Carrie of Concord, MA; caring sister of Nancy H. Vrondka, Ellen H. Aretino, and Laurence Hawkins; and adored grandmother (“Gigi”) of Andrew, Paige, Brynn, and Mallory. Nieces, nephews, friends, and family all cherished their time with Gigi.
Born in Hempstead, Long Island, New York in 1944, the first child of Albert E. Hawkins and Suzanne (Torngren) Hawkins, Gail grew up in Hanover, Massachusetts and graduated from Hanover High (class of 1961) and the Beverly School of Nursing (1964). She spent nearly her entire career in pediatric nursing starting in the NICU at Boston Children’s Hospital, then became a stay-at-home mom. She finished her career working for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, making a huge difference in the lives of women across the state. Her passion was caring for others.
She was very involved in the Hingham Garden Club, enjoying her love of flowers and gardening. Gail was a master knitter, creating incredible gifts for her friends and family over the years. She crafted multiple projects at once, but each and every one was a work of art. One of her greatest loves was the ocean; she loved to spend time sailing, traveling to tropical settings, or just enjoying the local South Shore beaches, especially with her family. She also loved spending time at Moose Pond in Bridgton, Maine: leaf peeping in the fall, skiing in the winter, swimming/boating in the summer, and playing cribbage any time of the year.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Gail during visiting hours on Thursday, March 21 from 4–7pm at Downing Cottage Funeral Home at 21 Pond St. in Hingham. The funeral service will be held on Friday, March 22 at 11am at Hingham Congregational Church. Internment is private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to Norwell VNA and Hospice, 120 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA 02061. For more information and online guestbook go to www.downingchapel.com