Gail Ann Peter Ward

Gail Ann Peter Ward, age 72, passed away in her home in Omaha, NE on October 7, 2026.

Gail was born on March 30, 1954, in Glen Cove, NY to her late parents Robert E. Peter and Joan E. Peter and was one of six children. The family lived in the Wantagh and Huntington areas of Long Island, NY until they moved to Southern California in 1970 where they lived in the Canoga Park and then San Diego areas.

Gail obtained her Bachelor's degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara and then moved to Santa Cruz, CA where she spent many happy years surrounding herself with friends, good music and her beloved Redwoods. Gail was wonderful with children and spent her early career teaching at the elementary school level. From a young age she was impelled to stand up for civil and human rights and throughout her life was an avid reader of the U.S. Civil War and Native American history. She also had a great love for nature and animals and enjoyed spending her time gardening and sharing her life with many cherished furry companions including dogs, cats and Icelandic horses.

In addition to her parents, Gail was preceded in death by her two brothers, Gregory R. Peter and Robert E. Peter Jr. and her brother-in-law, Jerry L. Coolman.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie G. Ward and Todd C. Hartmann Jr., her three sisters, Susan E. Baas (John H. Baas), Kathleen F. Peter-Coolman and Jeanne M. Fowler (Keenan J. Fowler), her sister-in-law, Julie A. Barnum, her nieces and nephew, Jessica E. LaVinus (Andrew D. LaVinus), Justin J.P. Baas, Dominique L. Peter and Karli R. Coolman, many Frantz, Peter and Reisenberg family cousins, her darling cat, Sawyer and her two grandpups, Meeko and Kodi.

The family will hold a private gathering after cremation and plan to celebrate her life by taking her back to her Redwoods.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gail's name to the Redwood Parks Conservancy:

Redwoodparksconservancy.org

Redwood Parks Conservancy, 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531