Gail Patricia Whitright of Middletown passed away on September 3, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Dora Whitright of Cheshire. She was born on August 22, 1945, in Waterbury, and settled in Middletown, CT.

She was a Cheshire High School graduate, where she was a cheerleader and majored in laughing and staring out the window. Gail was nominated for class clown, class flirt, and friendliest. Gail was voted best figure. She was nominated for Miss Cheshire in 1963 and was voted for Miss Congeniality in the pageant. Gail graduated from Bay State Academy in Boston and was accepted by Northeast Airlines but could not pass the physical due to her scoliosis. In 1968, Gail caught "California Dreamin'" and drove to California on Route 66. She was a cocktail waitress in every dive in San Diego where she earned a bachelor’s in teaching from San Diego University. Gail was awarded a Graduate Fellowship from Connecticut College, where she earned a Master in the Arts of Teaching. Gail taught school for over 25 years in Texas, Fishers Island, and Hartford, CT. She took a 17-foot Boston Whaler every day to teach on Fishers Island. She loved "blowing the lid off the joint" with her Hartford students. She loved all of her students, and they loved her. Gail was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her great-grandfathers Michael Whitright, Peter Whitright, and her Uncle George Whitright all fought in the Pennsylvania militia and were part of the first United States Marines. Her Grandfather Peter was also part of the Ohio Militia and fought in the War of 1812. Gail was a fierce patriot and was the founder of PropositionUSA.com. Her goal was to bring our country back to its roots and help our Veterans. Gail served as an escort for Iwo Jima Survivors at the Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain, CT. She participated in the first "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans'' in Cheshire, CT, and Shelton, CT. She was very proud of our Country and worked her entire life at making sure our Veterans' were not forgotten. Gail was the editor of "My Vietnam - Chicago to Southeast Asia" of which Vernon Gregory was the Author and a very special friend to Gail.

Gail is survived by her siblings Jean (Jim) Fazzone, JoAnn (Brad) MacLachlan, and Joseph (Robin) Whitright; as well as nieces, nephews, lots of cousins, and some special cousins who took care of her in her final days.

Arrangements – Visitation will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 5 to 7 pm at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 11 am at the funeral home. Committal will follow in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Iwo Jima Memorial Historical Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 310516, Newington, CT 06131 or to a Veterans Organization of your choice. Gail would also like to everyone to take a minute or two to thank a Veteran when you see them. For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, please visit www.fordfh.com.