Gail Deville

Gail was born in Massachusetts and grew up in multiple locations as a member of a military family - forts and posts around the United States and Germany. She initially worked in various roles with Douglas Oil Company of California, where in her final role there she forged a trail as one of the first and only female refinery workers in Southern California. In 1981, she gave up that career to become a housewife and mom to three kids. Once the kids were grown, she started her second career as a cosmetologist in Lompoc, California.  She established and built a flourishing cottage business creating handmade soaps, when the family relocated to Colorado.

Gail and her husband Ron were excited by the opportunity to move abroad for Ron’s work and experience the ex-pat life in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where they lived from 1998 to 2010.  While there, she became a prolific world-traveler visiting many countries including; France, England, Oman, Cyprus, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Mauritius, Thailand, Belgium and India. Everywhere she traveled she showed a great appreciation and interest in the people, culture and cuisine. Often taking cooking classes, visiting fabric shops, and taking local tours, with a desire to understand the local traditions and cultures.

Throughout her adult life, she expressed her creativity through arts and crafts including: quilting, crochet, knitting, pottery & ceramics, sewing, soap-making, cooking, beadwork, jewelry-making and many more. Often inspiring others creativity and sharing handmade creations with those she loved.

One of Gail’s greatest joys in recent years has been to see the success and enjoy the company of her children and grandchildren, and to be so blessed to welcome a great grandson.

Everyone who knew Gail will always remember her warmth, smiling face, approachability, empathy, friendship, generosity and Infectious laugh. Her warm countenance was such that even strangers would feel so comfortable in her presence to share personal details of the ups and downs of their lives. Her gift of empathetic listening was extraordinary.

While she suffered many physical ailments in her later years, she died peacefully at home in her sleep with her husband by her side. 

Preceded in death by: her father and mother, Roland & Georgette Beliveau and her step-father, Eldon Standridge.

Survived by: her husband of 41 years, Ronald DeVille; her son, Ronald DeVille III and his wife Caitlin; her daughter Traci Hoffler and her husband Brian; her daughter Tammi Merrell and her husband Gannon; eight grandchildren – Ariel Cates, Ryan Gracey, Michaela DeVille, Joshua Hoffler, Brody Hoffler, Connor DeVille, Charli Hoffler and Griffin Merrell; one great grandson, Theo Arreola; her step-mother Elizabeth Standridge; her siblings – Lynn, Bobbie, Bonnie, Leon, Richard, Theresa, Melody, Lisa, Stephen, and Tim.

Visitation and services will be held on Thursday, January 12th from 5pm to 7pm MST at Farmington Funeral Home, 2111 W Apache St Farmington, NM. The services will be streamed remotely for those wishing to join from farther away.

Private interment will be at Kirtland-Fruitland Cemetery on Friday at 10am.