Gail C. Westervelt

Our beloved Aunt, Gail C. Westervelt, age 71, went peacefully to be with her Lord on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Gail was born on June 25, 1954, in New Jersey to the late R. Carl and Gertrude “Trudy” Westervelt (née Jenkin), and to her beloved big brother, Jim.

Gail loved playing games, leading her young adult Bible study, and bringing laughter to those around her with her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. She enjoyed calligraphy writing, loved butterflies and was intentional about creating spaces of beauty around her. She was an excellent student, a gifted piano player, and a deeply loyal and committed friend.

She attended Northeastern Bible College and later earned her paralegal degree. During her career, she worked for several prestigious law firms in North Jersey, where she was regarded as exceptional—highly respected by both her peers and the attorneys she supported.

In the late 1980s, after years of paralegal work, Gail went into business with a colleague and co-founded St. Louis & Westervelt Inc. Appellate Printing Services in Hoboken, NJ. She became widely known in the industry as one of the very best in this niche field, and for a time, their firm handled the majority of New York’s legal appeals. Her work even led to some unusual moments—once requiring her to meet John Gotti in prison.

Gail was extraordinarily generous, faithfully supporting many nonprofit organizations, especially those dedicated to caring for the poor and needy.

When Gail became an aunt to her two nieces and nephew, she found an even deeper joy in life. She loved and doted on all three of them—playing endless board games, taking them on adventures to Medieval Times, pouring out the change from her purse to share, taking them through the car wash while pretending they were being eaten by McDonald’s “Fry Guys,” driving with the windows down while singing at the top of her lungs, watching various genres of movies with them ranging from Godzilla to The King and I, and reading bedtime stories during sleepovers. She had a special way of making each child feel uniquely loved and valued.

In her later years, Gail enjoyed antiquing with her mother and brother, searching for the perfect gifts for family and friends, and visiting charming tea rooms. She even dreamed of opening her own tea room—an aspiration she lovingly set aside to care for her mother when she became ill.

Gail devotedly cared for her mother for many years. When it became clear that more care was needed, she ensured her mother was well looked after in a facility—and still visited her every single day. She was a truly loving and faithful daughter.

She will be dearly missed, but there is deep comfort in knowing she has been reunited with her parents and brother, and is fully alive in the presence of God. Her beautiful legacy lives on in all who knew and loved her.

Graveside Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Crest Haven Memorial Park, 755 Passaic Avenue in Clifton, NJ. All are welcome to attend, and friends may pay their respects to the family there. Immediately following the service, a repast will be held at Il Vecchio (Calandra’s Village) in Caldwell, NJ.

Gail is survived by her nieces, Chera Hart (husband Ian) and Heidi Savill (husband Gary), her nephew, Joel Westervelt (wife Kirby), and many beloved great-nieces and nephews—and even a few great-greats.

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