Gail Marie Upton Gannon, 84 of Houston, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023, with her loving husband Francis Lawrence Gannon at her side.

Gail was born October 7, 1939, in Englewood, NJ, the daughter of William John and Olive Hicks Upton. She grew up in North Bergen, NJ, where her father was a high school principal. Gail graduated from Weehawken High School in 1957. She majored in Chemistry and graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, NY, in 1961. Gail was recruited by the Thomas J. Lipton Company as a research chemist. Later, Gail taught elementary school in Brooklyn and Garden City, NY.

Gail married Francis Lawrence Gannon in 1963, and they were happily married for more than 60 years. Throughout their lives together, Gail and Frank lived in Brooklyn Heights, NY, Baldwin, NY, Wilton, Conn., Houston and London, England.

Gail was a devoted mother to her two beloved sons, Francis William Gannon and Paul Upton Gannon, and both boys enjoyed wonderful childhoods. She was also a devoted grandmother to her two beloved grandchildren Mitchell Cassin Gannon and Noah Griffith Gannon of Houston. Gail also was a devoted mother-in-law to her sons' spouses Mary Anna Gannon (Paul) of Houston and Amy Gannon (Frank) of Frisco, Texas.

Gail loved to travel the world and visited no less than 70 countries. In Houston, she was a longtime tennis player in the Northwest Women's Tennis League and was a founding captain of the Texas Jackrabbit League. She was active in charitable fundraising activities on behalf of Northwest Assistance Ministries, the Shining Stars Guild, and the American Women's Club of London. She was also an active member of the Huntwick Women's Club and Empty Nesters. Gail was a gracious hostess who knew how to work the room. She was a gourmet cook and a loyal friend who loved to shop and play bridge. All who knew Gail will miss her artistic flair and warm sense of humor.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, William John and Olive Hicks Upton, brother-in-law Richard Milner of Norwich, NY, and sister-in-law Anne Farley of Brooklyn, NY.

She is survived by her beloved husband Frank Gannon, sons and daughters-in-law Frank and Amy Gannon and Paul and Mary Anna Gannon, and grandsons Mitchell and Noah Gannon.

Gail is also survived by her brother John William Upton and wife Cindy of Madisonville, LA, sister-in-law Mary Jane Gannon Milner of Norwich, NY, and brother-in-law Peter Farley of Brooklyn, NY, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of Gail's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Klein Funeral Home, located at 16131 Champion Forest Dr., Spring, Texas. A reception will immediately follow at the Huntwick Club House, located at 5300 Coral Gables Dr., Houston.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you remember Gail with a donation to Northwest Assistance Ministries' Endowment Fund or The Rose Breast Center , which provides access to breast cancer screening and services to women without healthcare insurance.