Vigra, Gail F.

Gail F. Vigra, 85, of Kensington, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 3, 2023 in South Carolina with family. Born in Kenvil, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late George and Florence Bergenback. In high school Gail loved cheerleading, was a member of the National Honor Society, was in theater groups and the church choir. Gail graduated from Centenary College (now Centenary University) and pursued a career at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Gail married the love of her life, Charles, September 6, 1958. In 2018 they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with their family and friends.

Gail was active in the community throughout her life. She organized and was president of the "Evening Y Wives" at the New Britain YMCA and organized the Berlin Girl Scout Troop #33. Gail was a member of the Women's Club of New Britain where she was president multiple terms from 1991 to 2021. Gail gave the commencement speech at Centenary College in 1993. She was on the Board of Trustees representing the Alumni Association for seven years, was a member of the President's Advisory Council, received the Van Winkle Achievement Award in 2017, and co-chaired her 50th Class Reunion, where they had "the highest attendance in college history".

Gail loved to travel with her husband Charles and family. Gail enjoyed skiing at Haystack in Vermont and in Austria. She also enjoyed the warmth of the sun at her beach home in Charlestown, R. I., hunting for sea glass and walking the beach, golfing in the Carolinas, and attending the Masters. Gail was a charter member of Timberlin Golf Course Ladies 18 Hole golfers for over 50 years. She had been an active member of the Shuttle Meadow Country Club women golfers for over 40 years. In 2005, she had her first hole-in-one on hole #13. She and her loving husband Charles attended formal functions including candlelight dinner dances and enjoyed their many friends. Gail wintered in Edgefield South Carolina with her family. She was spiritually renewed and found peace by the love from the Edgefield First Baptist Church family. Gail touched the lives of so many friends, whom she loved as family.

Surviving are her children, Michele Urban and her husband Ronald (Enzo) of Edgefield, South Carolina; Kim Wheeler of Edgefield, South Carolina; and Alison Buesing, of Monson, Mass. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Matthew, Tim, Shannon and Liam; three great-grandchildren: Hyla, Jaxson and Payton; and two sisters, Doris Lobb and Faith Middlestadt. Gail was predeceased by her loving husband, Charles and her sister, Joyce Tasin.

Funeral services and calling hours will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 from 11 AM to 1 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home. Burial will be in Maple Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gail's honor may be made to Centenary University, 400 Jefferson Street, Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840 or Edgefield First Baptist Church, 212 Church Street, Edgefield, South Carolina 29824. Please share a memory of Gail with the family in the online guest book @ericksonhansen. com

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