Gail W. Timberlake
Gail Williams Timberlake, beloved mother and friend, age 68, of Winchester, VA, died Saturday, January 14, 2012, at her home. She was surrounded by her family.
Ms. Timberlake was born April 10, 1943 in Glen Cove, New York, the daughter of the late Allan Amar and Lois Williams.
She graduated from North Shore High School in 1961. Following high school she studied at the Berkley Secretarial School in New York City. She worked as an executive secretary in New York for several years after graduation. In 1967 she moved to Charlottesville, VA where she took a job as a secretary in the Bio-Medical Engineering Department at The University of Virginia. She married Dr. Byron Timberlake in 1969 and moved to Boyce, VA, in 1970.
Ms. Timberlake worked as an office manager for the Public Defender’s Office in Winchester, VA, during which time she also catered in Frederick and Clarke Counties. After retiring from her position at the Public Defender’s Office, she took the opportunity to pursue her love of cooking for others and began to cater full time. She was known for her remarkable ease in the kitchen and the incredible meals she was able to create for her clients, friends, and family.
She was a skilled equestrian and was active with horses growing up and into her early adult life. She was a member of the Blue Ridge Hunt. She loved animals and especially loved her pets. At one time, she had a pet pig named Lizzie. Many will recall her special bond with her cat, Father Ron, as well as her much adored Chartreux cats, Peppy and Pogo.
She also had a deep love for cooking and first started showing an interest in the culinary arts when she was a teenager. Self-taught, she was able to make her love of cooking a lasting career that touched many lives. She had a remarkable knack for knowing just the right menu to recommend to a client and for whipping up a delicious meal with effortless finesse.
Ms. Timberlake was considered an honorary member of The Century Club of Winchester, VA, as she had catered many of their gatherings over the years. She was also a lifetime book lover and enjoyed discussing the many books she read with her book club.
For many years Ms. Timberlake was active at the local Franciscan Monastery and she was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Winchester, VA.
Ms. Timberlake is survived by two sons, Mark Timberlake and wife, Michelle Biggs Timberlake of Boyce, VA, and Tyler Timberlake and wife, Peggy Nauer Timberlake of Winchester, VA; a granddaughter, Mia Timberlake, of Boyce, VA, and a sister, Carol Schafer of Gardners, PA.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 21 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Bernard Tickerhoof and Father Stanley Krempa officiating. Interment will be private.
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 20, at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel, from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601.
Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.