Gail Lieberman Obituary

Len,
Paul emailed this afternoon and told me of Gail's passing. I am truly sorry for your loss and if Marietta or I can do anything, please contact us. It was wonderful that you and she had the opportunity to travel the world together last year and it is even more wonderful that she saw Miriam and Chris be married. Again, you have our sincerest sympathy and remember if you need anything please do not hesitate to contact us.

Lee Hirsch

Dear Lieberman Family,
I've just learned of Gail's passing. I am so sorry for your loss. I met Gail through her work at ISBE and with Leadership Illinois. Somehow she balanced work at the highest level of professionalism with a human caring and kindness in everything she did -- a wonderful strong woman, unflinching advocate for the most deserving children. Our state and our schools will reflect her great service for decades. My prayers are with you.

Gail was an integral part of our Leadership Illinois program. She helped us with the Springfield Conference and mentored accomplished leaders. Her smile could light up a room! Our condolences and our prayers to the Lieberman Family. Lenore Janecek (Chicago)

Len:
We just returned from Florida and heard about your wife. We had only met her once but many of our friends new her and said she was a gem.

Our condolences to you and your family. It is never easy to see your love one leave our mortal eyes but she is always just a moment away in your memories and just beyond the sunset.

Sincerely, Bob and Rosemary Leistner

Len, you are in my thoughts in this time of your profound loss. I know that you will always cherish the memories of the last special year you spent with Gail.

Len, Miriam and Chris, I was so sorry to hear about Gail and my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Gail was the NASDSE President the year I first joined the Board. She was very supportive of me and made my transition a smooth one. Gail was a natural leader who ran great meetings, but never let us forget that we were there for the kids - everything else was secondary. She also loved to talk about our families and I know how important you all were to her. Treasure your memories.

We were so sorry to hear of Gail's passing. We have not been in Springfield for the last week or we would have attended the service. We think it was great that Len and Gail got to do all that traveling. She will be in our prayers

I worked for Gail for many years & always admired her efficiency and dedication.

She will be missed by the special education leadership & community.

Kathleen O'Hara

I am so sorry for your loss. You will all be in my prayers.

Linda Wheeler

To Gail's family:
Thank you for sharing her with us. She touched too many lives to count. I hope you find comfort in remembering her passion for your family and all children. She will be missed, but as others have written she will live on in all of us.

I was sadden to hear of the passing of Gail. She was my manager at the State Board of Education for many years. My deepest sympathy as well as my thoughts and prayers go out to Len, Miriam, and the Lieberman family. I know she will be missed by all.

At this time of sorrow, losing someone so special, you will find there is much comfort in the warmth of your memories.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to you, Len, Miriam and Chris.

Although it's been quite awhile since I've seen Gail, I was surprised and saddened to hear about her death. I remember her as a nice and caring woman. I'll be thinking about Len and Miriam.

Gail will always have a special place in my heart. She drove me home from Chicago after a fellow ISBE employee died at an ISBE Board meeting. She helped me through this horrible time and I will never forget her. My deepest sympathy to her family.

Gail was indeed a professional. Many of us learned from Our GAIL how to support students with disabilities in a milieu of paper and process. Her legacy is in those faces and in her colleagues' efficacy. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. (Vinni M. Hall, Council for Exceptional Children, ISBE)

It was with great sadness that I learned of Gail’s illness and passing. As with so many I’m sure you will be hearing from, I met Gail at ISBE.

There are people who come into your life that make a real difference, that change the direction of your future, and Gail was one of those people for me. Over twenty years after she hired me as a temporary secretary, I continue to work and advocate in the education field.

May it comfort you to know that Gail will live on through the many lives she touched.

Nancy and I were deeply saddened to learn of Gail's passing. Gail and I worked together on many projects at the State Board, including teacher education reform and No Child Left Behind. I will always deeply appreciate Gail's support, guidance, and good humor. I shall miss her greatly, as will all those who had the privilege of working for and with her. Godspeed to her and the Lieberman family.

My condolences go out to the Lieberman family on their loss. I worked for Gail in the Dept of Special Ed at ISBE in the early 80s and remember her as a fair boss and hard working advocate for special education.

Gail was “The Real Deal.” We both started out in the Special Education unit at OSPI and we interacted on various items over 30 plus years. When she became part of the inner circle of top management she never took the easy route of agreeing with the crowd. She told them the truth that they did not necessary want to hear knowing full well she would be in the minority. They still needed to hear it and she was not worried about pressure or intimidation to be silent. She was the professional educator and manager that the agency needs more of.

Having lost my wife two years ago this month I know some of the pains and sufferings you are going through. My heart and prayers go out to you all.

Sincerely Bill Lohman

Len and family-- Gail was one of the first people I worked with when I came to the staff of the State Senate Democrats in 1972. She knew educational issues as well as anyone and was always pleasant, helpful and ceratinly enhanced my then limited knowledge of the issues. Working with her at ISBE and when she was with Gov. Thompson was a privilege. She was one fine person and my condolences go to you, my friend of decades, and your family on Gail's passing. Our prayers are with you.

Many thoughts and prayers to Gail's family. She was a fascinating woman for whom I had a great deal of respect. She hired me 17 years ago at the ISBE. We worked on some fun, yet gruelling projects over the years and I learned a great deal from her. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

To Len and Family,

I was indeed sad to learn of Gail's passing. She was a joy to be around.
She easily offered her passion, intelligence, and skills in her good works for the citizens of Illinois.
Gail was an exceptional person...may
her spirit of goodness remain in all of us.

It is with sadness that I remember all the years of working with Gail at the State Board of Education from Special Education and other departments. She was always working hard and with purpose to improve education for students throughout the state.

I extend my deepest sympathy to Len and Miriam. She was a commited and talented advocate for children. I was privileged to work with her. She left this world with the courage she had demonstrated to all of us. I shall miss her strong support for children.

To the Lieberman Family: My deepest sympathy on the loss of your wife and mother. I had the privilege of working with Gail on her last project at ISBE. What an amazing lady. She is an inspiration to all who knew and worked with her. I feel blessed to have had such a fantastic experience working with her. All of her family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Len, Miriam and Chris: You have my deepest sympathy on Gail's passing.I so enjoyed getting to know her better at water aerobics and will never forget how she always answered each request for help with a "I'd be happy to." That told me a lot about the kind of person she was. She was truly a model for how to live life and how to leave life.

Friends are the pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up, sometimes they lean on you, and sometimes it's just enough to know that they are standing by. I will think of Gail when I see someone wearing purple.

I am so sorry to hear of Gail's passing. I have known her for quite a few years as she was one of my bosses at the State Board of Education. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Friends are the pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up, sometimes they lean on you, and sometimes it's just enough to know that they are standing by. Thank you, Gail.

My sympathies to Gail's family. She was the best boss I ever had. She often thanked me for being "the wind beneath her wings" when we did special projects for State Directors of Special Education. Now her wings are beautiful and strong and her spirit is able to soar. She will be a part of me forever.

I got to know Gail through a variety of roles at the Illinois State Board of Education, including even a few weeks when she was my direct supervisor. She was a wonderful person--ready wit, compassionate, extremely competent, supportive--just all the qualities one would want in a true colleague. The loss to her friends and colleagues is enormous; to the family, it must seem insurmountable. But she lives on in the memories of those she touched. I hope the family is comforted by the good thoughts and prayers of those who knew her.

Len: Our deepest sympathy. Gail was one of my first managers at ISBE when I reported in 1979. She was a task master and mentored me into State Management. There are many memories of our team keeping school districts and coops on track with the initial Federal Law. Sorry I will be out of town for the services. Our thoughts to Miriam, as well. Loree and Carolyn Riggs

Dear Lieberman Family:
I will never forget Gail. She was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. My sincere sympathy to you regarding this great loss. Perhaps there will be some consolation at knowing she made a difference; her life brought great light into the world.
Sincerely,
Bridget Helmholz

Gail was truly one of the most professional and caring leaders of ISBE...her dedication was beyond any comparison. She will always be the grandest memory for high quality teaching and learning decision-making in Illinois.
Gwen Pollock, Sherman, IL

To Len and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Gail she truely was a special lady. As I myself had know Gail from ISBE and my late sister Anne worked for her for many years...
You all have my families deepest sympathy for loosing such a loving and giving lady..

God Bless ya all.
Sharon Norman

Len and Mim, Andy and I will always remember how much we appreciated Gail's offer to take Andrea on your vacations. Her solid no nonsense personality will be missed by those who found wisdom and comfort in her words. Deepest sympathy,

On behalf of the members of ISAE, I want to say how much Gail will be missed. We have so enjoyed her participation with Len in activities of our association over the years. Our prayers go out to Len and family. She was an example of kindness, courage and one living her values.

Pamela Tolson, Springfield, IL

To Len and family our condolences on your loss.

She took great pride in her family and work. She was a great friend and always thoughtful of others. We enjoyed being with her and will miss her.

Martha and Doug Sutton

I have known Gail for over 30 years, having worked with her at ISBE. Gail was a hard worker and expected the same from her staff. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to her family.

Len and Family:

I will miss Gail. I am honored to have known her. May God give you patience and comfort at this time.

It was a privilege to know and work with someone so professional and so dedicated to education. She will be greatly missed at ISBE. My condolences to the family.

Pam Stanko

Len, Mim & Chris: I am so sorry for your loss. Gail was a wonderful mother, and how lovely she looked at your wedding. May your hearts be filled with memories of joyful times together.

I will miss Gail very much. My prayers go out for her family at this time. She offered me counsel on several matters, always there to support me both personally and professionally. She was a mentor and tremendous inspiration to me during my first years at ISBE. I was blessed to have known her.

Gail was a shining star at ISBE where I met her. I knew her to be friendly, fair, and always striving for excellence in herself and her staff.

May God grant you peace and send you his special love during your time of mourning.

My condolences to the Lieberman Family. Gail toughed the lives of so many. She will be greatly missed.
Jim Frank

I am so sorry to hear of Gail's passing. I have known her for quite a few years working at the State Board of Education. Keeping you all in my prayers.

To the Lieberman Family,

My condolences on your loss. May Gail forever live in Blessed Memory.