December 17, 1942 - February 20, 2024

Gail Cecily Ullman was born in Bridgeport, CT on December 17th, 1942, and passed away on February 20th, 2024 in Palm City Florida. She was the eldest daughter to John and Cecily Ullman and a great help in caring for her five other siblings: Stephanie, Jed, Chris, Susie and Michael.

She spent most of her childhood in Tulsa Oklahoma and attended Monte Cassino Catholic school. After high school she enrolled at Creighton University, where she met and then married her life-long love, John Pezzimenti. After two years she left to become an airline hostess for Braniff International. In 1963, John and Gail married. Gail had three children, Mary Gail, Joe and Luke, by the time she was 25.

Settling in Connecticut, John and Gail built their dream home in Redding. Gail lived in this house for 52 years and had a 60-year marriage. Their home on the hill was the gathering place for holidays and special events where their children and their spouses (David, Andrea and Jennifer) came together as well as their five grandchildren (Mia, Ava, George, John and Jeremy).

Gail was an artist for 40 years. Credits include the prestigious Salmagundi Show in New York City, Silvermine Show in New Canaan, CT and Best in Oil at the Richter Show in Danbury, CT. Her work appears in many private collections as well as the Praxair Cancer Center. One of her enduring legacies undoubtedly will be her beautiful art. As a lifelong learner, she completed her college degree with a BA in Graphic Design at Western Connecticut College in 1993. Gail then obtained a Master of Science degree in Studio Art from the College of New Rochelle in 2000, which would pave the way for her to become a high school art teacher at New Fairfield High School. She was beloved by her students who stayed connected with her for many years even after she left teaching.

While Gail enjoyed a wonderful life, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease after losing her first kidney at the age of 32.  Throughout the remainder of her life, despite sustained declining health she carried herself with grace and humor. Family and all who knew her are grateful for her love, kindness, strength, lightness of being and perseverance. It was a blessing to have Gail in our lives.

In lieu of flowers please donate to:

The Praxair Cancer Center https://www.nuvancehealth.org/locations/praxair-cancer-center-nuvance-health-medical-practice-hematology-oncology or The Yale New Haven Transplantation Center https://secure.givetoynhh.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app20013a?1568.donation=form1&idb=1775745795&DONATION_LEVEL_ID_SELECTED=1&df_id=1568&mfc_pref=T&NONCE_TOKEN=9F6D2BF99DD1180613EA80CABFA59814&1568.donation=root

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