BRUNSWICK – Gail Hansen Schen, 88, died peacefully at her home at Thornton Oaks, Brunswick on June 30, 2019. She was born on Jan. 12, 1931 in Elizabeth, N.J. to Marguerite and Victor Hansen, the second of two daughters. An English major with an enduring love of music, literature and words, she graduated from Hollins College in 1952. She married John VanCampen Schen and had a well-travelled life with him and their three daughters, living in Denmark, Holland and Belgium for eight years. In Holland, in particular, she enjoyed piano lessons, the church choir, orchestral concerts and operas, tennis, flea markets and fresh flowers while she was raising her children.

After returning to the United States in 1973, Gail and her husband divorced. Gail worked as a legal executive assistant at L’Oreal in New York City. She retired at age 70 after seeing the twin towers fall on Sept. 11, 2001, from her office window.

She was delighted to meet Steve Donahue in Westfield, N.J. He became her love and steady companion for more than thirty years. They enjoyed square dancing, Scrabble, politics, and gathering with friends. Gail and Steve retired to Brunswick in 2010. Steve passed away on June 2, 2019, and Gail soon followed on June 30, 2019.

Gail is survived by her three daughters, Beth, Cathy and Molly; four grandchildren, Isaac, Eli, Eric and Emily; and four great-grandchildren Addalyn, Brynn, Charlotte and James.