Gisele 'Gigi' Gately

HAVERHILL - Gisele A. 'Gigi' Gately, 81, of Haverhill, formerly of Groveland and Salisbury, passed away peacefully Monday, January 22, 2024 at her home at Benchmark Senior Living at Haverhill Crossings. She was the loving wife of Edward Gately who passed in 2019. 

She was born June 18, 1942, the daughter of Joseph Vaillancourt and Lydia (Ouellette) Vaillancourt. Her early years were in Bromptonville, Quebec, Canada.  Along with her family, she moved to Lawrence, MA when she was 7 years old. After Lydia passed away when Gigi was young, she was fortunate enough to have a second mother, Rose Vaillancourt. She graduated from St. Anne’s High School in Lawrence in 1960. 

After graduation she worked at Western Electric in North Andover, where she met her the love of her life, Edward. They married June 26th, 1965, going on to have three children (Dennis, Judy and Jim) and six grandchildren (Trevor, Christopher, Casey, Liam, Andrea, and Dylan). Gigi had various other jobs over the years, one of her favorites was working at Career Resources in Haverhill, MA, where she found jobs for mentally disabled adults. She referred to her clients as “her boys” and it would not be uncommon for her to bring them home to celebrate holidays with her family. She retired from the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Haverhill in 2007. 

Gigi was known for having a positive outlook on life and always being happy. She was incredibly strong, beating cancer three times. For many years after her remission she was involved with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life with a large group of family and friends.  

Gigi was predeceased by her husband, Edward, who passed away in 2019. She is survived by her three children, Dennis Gately and his wife Noelle of San Diego, CA, Judith Snow of Groveland, and James Gately and his wife Katherine of Newburyport. She will also be remembered by her six grandchildren, Trevor, Christopher, Casey, Liam, Andrea, and Dylan.  Gisele leaves behind a brother, Ferdinand Vaillancourt, several nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Gigi's honor on Friday, January 26, in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 S. Main Street, Haverhill at 10:30 AM. Burial will be private. Contributions may be made to Hospice Services of Massachusetts at www.hospiceservicesofma.com. Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook visit www.driscollcares.com

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