Now, after more than 25 years in show biz, she has been recognised by her theatrical colleagues.
Gail has now framed the award, which takes pride of place in her independent apartment in Ryman Healthcare's Charles Upham Retirement Village in Rangiora, where she lives with her husband, Bob.
The awards were introduced in 1993 to honour those who have made an outstanding contribution to musical theatre in communities.
Gail's society, North Canterbury Musicals (NCM), applied on her behalf for the recognition and highlighted the fact that she had been a society member and practising stagecraft for 29 years.
Before joining, she started in a singing group with the League of Mothers, and played piano from the age of 7.
When she became a junior cast member with the Rangiora Society, based in Northbrook Road, she was encouraged by a contemporary, Jocelyn Jones. Her husband, Bob, soon joined and became a production manager.
Her early cast work included a chorus part in Oklahoma, Mrs Harcourt in Anything Goes, Mrs Pearce in My Fair Lady, Mother Superior in Nunsense, as well as regular town-hall based War Concerts.
On the administrative side, Gail was soon part of the NCM committee. She served a term of 15 years, of which 13 were as the secretary.
She attended the monthly meetings as well as doing paperwork for the bigger shows.
More recently, she has been a musical director for the NCM singers performing in classic shows such as The Sound of Music. ''I had to get all the music together, the chorus, the harmonies and conduct them all, put the orchestra together and conduct that,'' she says of the role.
Separately, she has put on concerts with the singers in venues such as the Rangiora Town Hall and the North Canterbury RSAs.
She has also worked in a similar vein for the Hurunui Theatre Company and the Kaiapoi Theatre Company, sometimes working alongside Doug Clark of the Riccarton Players.
She has also assisted the North Canterbury Musical Society with its fundraising efforts. She has raised the profile of the society within the surrounding community.
Everyone who knows Gail has no doubt at some point thanked her for her support.
Bob and Gail have two children, Greg, who lives near Newcastle in Australia, and Bronwyn, who lives in Kaiapoi, and four grandchildren.
She and Bob moved to the Charles Upham village three years ago.
''We have watched the village grow and consider the move here one of our best life decisions. The friendliness of people and staff, the choices of activities are great; it's the best place to live out our senior years,'' Gail says.
