Gail Joan McFarlane

Gail Joan McFarlane passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 21, 2023. She lived her life to the fullest with her many friends and large family by her side. Listening to the Rolling Stones and the Beatles was one of her favorite pastimes, and she went to many rock concerts in her day. In her downtime, Gail enjoyed listening to the sound of running water and playing cribbage. Anyone who knew Gail, knew she was obsessed with the Green Bay Packers. She was a stockholder and traveled far and wide to go to games including the one and only Lambeau Field.

Gail was a strong-willed, intelligent woman with a vibrant personality who had the gift of gab like her father. Gail was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on August 23, 1949. She was the second of five siblings, three brothers and one sister. She grew up in Eau Claire and graduated from Regis HS in 1967. Following high school, she began attending the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire and had her first and only child, Larisa Lyn, in December of 1968. Larisa was the light of her life and her pride and joy. 

In 1977, they moved to Los Alamos, NM. She worked for the Zia Company in support of Los Alamos National Laboratory while also continuing her education. Throughout the years, she received Bachelor’s degrees in environmental science and business and then a Masters in business. During this time, Larisa was starting a family and Gail welcomed two wonderful grandchildren into her life: Secilli in 1988 and Alan in 1993. Gail loved and doted on her grandchildren. 

Gail became a Los Alamos National Laboratory employee and worked in CTR division and moved to Chemistry division in 1991. She was instrumental and a key team member in the construction of the Isotopes production facility at LANSE which is still in operation today. She retired from LANL in 2009. While working in the Isotopes program, she met the love of her life, Gene Peterson. They were together for many years and were married in November of 2012. They traveled the world together to visit many different countries. They also traveled to many sporting events including a Superbowl, the Rose Bowl and many, many concerts.  

Gail is preceded in death by her father, Ray, her mother, Lorraine, oldest brother Larry, her mother-in-law Marguerite and brother-in-law Rick, and Stephen.

She is survived by her husband Gene, her daughter Larisa, and two grandchildren Secilli and Alan. She is also survived by her younger siblings Fay (Denny) Hubbard, Paul McFarlane, Mark (Sue) McFarlane and sister-in-law Jeanne McFarlane and their many children and grandchildren. She is also survived by Gene’s brother, Donnie (Teri) Peterson, sister MaryBeth Brugger, and sister-in-law Michele (Rick) Peterson.

A memorial service will take place on October 9, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel.

While flowers are welcome, the family asks that any monetary donations be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. 

https://www.stjude.org/

The family of Gail McFarlane has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477