Gail Baxter's Obituary
Gail Ann Baxter passed peacefully on July 6, 2024 in Huntersville, NC, from complications
related to dementia.
Gail was born on September 15, 1947 at Roslyn Park Hospital in NY, to Nonna V. Miller (Cleary
Wilson) and Howard M. Wilson. In her earliest years, she lived in Bayville, Long Island, NY. After
her father died, her mother remarried and she was adopted by Arthur Miller, and the family
moved to Queens Village, NY, where Gail grew up. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes and
graduated from The Mary Louis Academy.
With her first husband, Gregg D. Elkenbaum, she had three daughters, Debra, Donna, and
Dianna. She was widowed at 23 years of age, went back to school to become a nurse, and
worked hard to provide for her family.
She remarried twice, and adopted 2 daughters with her late husband Timothy Baxter, Rebecca
and Claudia. They moved to NC in the late 1990s, and Gail continued to live there until her
death.
She earned her RN degree at Nassau Community College, and went on to earn her Bachelor of
Nursing and Master in Health Care Administration from SUNY Old Westbury. She worked for
many years in nursing, most notably as a Director of Nursing at numerous long term care and
rehabilitation facilities in NY and NC. Gail leaves a legacy of nurses in her family. Her daughter
Donna is a Hospice nurse, her daughter Dianna is a Certified Nurse Midwife, her granddaughter
Amanda is an ECMO Specialist/Critical Care ICU nurse, and her granddaughter Jessica is an
Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner.
She is preceded in death by her mother Nonna V. Miller, her biological father Howard M.
Wilson, her adoptive father Arthur Miller, her first husband Gregg D. Elkenbaum, and her third
husband Timothy Baxter.
She is survived by all 5 of her daughters, Debra Brescia (Ronald) of Blufton SC, Donna
Douglass of Waxhaw NC, Dianna Kristeller (Peter) of Bethel AK, Rebecca Tuck (Aaron) of
Charlotte NC, and Claudia Baxter of Charlotte NC. She is also survived by her 9 granddaughters, Amanda Brescia of Charlotte NC, Erika Brescia of Little Rock AR, Casey Brescia of Atlantic Beach FL, Jessica Yacopino of Greensboro NC, Julianna Yacopino of Lancaster SC, Jacqueline Yacopino of Mineral Springs NC, Danae Bernunzio of Seattle WA, Sequoia Kristeller of Gilbert AZ, and Willow Kristeller of Anchorage AK. She is also survived by her 4 great grandchildren, Emery and Eden (Julianna) and Aiden and Bruce (Jacqueline).
Respecting Gail’s final wishes, there will not be a funeral or memorial service. Gail had a
lifelong love of animals, particularly dogs. At one time, she even worked as a dog groomer. We
thought a meaningful way to remember her would be to make a donation to a local animal
rescue organization. If you do not have one in mind, www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com in Alaska
is a worthy organization. She would be happy to know that she continues to positively impact
the lives of dogs.
What’s your fondest memory of Gail?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gail?
Share a story where Gail's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gail you’ll never forget.
How did Gail make you smile?