Gayle Ann Barrett Obituary (1943 - 2020)

OAKLAND, MAINE--Gayle Ann Barrett 77, died at Scarborough Terrace in Scarborough, Maine on February 4, 2020. Her sister was by her side. Gayle was born in Waterville, Maine on January 11, 1943, daughter of Ann (Anderson) Burton and Oreland R. Burton. She attended schools in Maine, California and Florida and graduated from Williams High School, Oakland, Maine in 1961. She went on to graduate from Graham Jr College in Boston in 1963, with a degree in broadcasting. She moved back to Maine and found employment in the Waterville area. She married her husband, Rodney Barrett in 1965. Gayle had many talents and interests, but her love for animals is in her soul. It is her very spirit! She loved and protected all animals big, small, domestic and wild. She was constantly rescuing animals .... too numerous to count. There were always several animal friends in her home. She was an advocate for animals’ rights and a member of many animal right groups. She was a huge supporter of the Humane Society and in her early years was a member of its leadership in Waterville, Maine. Gayle loved Maine. She loved nature. She loved the land and was a believer in protecting the environment long before it became the thing we all need to do! She launched a campaign to protect her land and the animals on it from pesticide spraying that included the land of her surroundings neighbors as well. She spent many years communicating and negotiating with several State of Maine agencies and officials to make changes. Gayle was a published writer, a cartoonist (she had a great sense of humor) an avid reader (E.B. White was a favorite), an amateur photographer and she enjoyed gardening. She loved music. She played the guitar and taught herself to play the mandolin. She loved listening to Mickey Newbury, Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra. Gayle is survived by her sister, Joanne Burton of Florida; her aunts, Elaine Burton of Oakland, Maine and Eva Gardener of Warwick, RI; several cousins and grand cousins; and her stepchildren, Brad Barrett and his wife, Kathy and Lynne Cates and her husband, Gerald and their children and grandchildren. Also, Gayle is both survived by and predeceased by her many special and beloved animal friends. Gayle was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Rodney Barrett; her parents; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Gayle wished to be cremated and have no formal funeral. A small graveside memorial at the Lewis Cemetery in Oakland will be announced early summer. Donations may be made to Gayle's favorite charity : THE WATERVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, Me 04901 The family would like to thank Dr Eleanor Sabean and her staff at Lakeside Veterinary Clinic for their longtime friendship and the special care and support they gave to Gayle and Rod's animal family throughout the years. Gayle always had a copy of a poem on her desk. The name of the poem was " Making a Difference". She said it "kept her on track" and that it also reminded her of Dr. Sabean. Also, the family would like to thank the wonderful and caring nurses and staff at Scarborough Terrace and Gayle's incredible team from Beacon Hospice in Scarborough, Maine. Gayle was a good person and she lived her life with kindness and compassion for those who had no voice. She devoted her life to animals and animal causes. That is what she lived for and what made her happy. That, and the people she loved so much. You did good Gayle! Rest In Peace. We love you and we will miss you.