Gail Patricia Horsley

Gail Patricia Horsley, 68, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2015. She was born June 20, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Raymond and Shirleen Petterson.

Gail lived and graduated high school in the Chicagoland area. Following high school, she attended school at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She spent her senior year of college at Schiller College in Kleiningersheim, Germany where she was able to visit German relatives and converse in German. She won an N.I.M.H Award to attend graduate school at U.C.L.A. where she received a Master's Degree in adult psychiatric nursing.

Gail married Antonio "Stoney" Moses in 1970 before they set out on the adventure of their lives to Alaska. In Alaska, Gail lived on St. Lawrence Island, (37 miles from Russia) ministering to approximately 800 Eskimo people. She then moved to Nome where she gave birth to her son, William Michael Moses. She was assigned to the entire Norton Sound Peninsula and travelled to 16 Eskimo villages while "amuking" her son under her parka. She also worked as a public health nurse for the State of Alaska, out of the town of Seward. Gail also taught nursing at Alaska Methodist University, the University of Alaska and University of Alaska Community College. She was often called on by the media to discuss various mental health subjects.

After leaving Alaska in 1986, Gail worked at the Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center for 15 years as an advanced nurse practitioner and psychotherapist. She was in a joint private mental health practice with Dr. Bob Alberts and others. Gail won nursing's "Heart of Healthcare Award" from the University of Kansas in 1997 and in 2004 she was selected to become included in "Who's Who in American Women".

Gail was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church, of Topeka, the Topeka Opera Society, N.A.R.F.E., and the Topeka Travelers' Club. She loved to write poetry and had many pieces published in small poetry magazines. She participated in 2 reading clubs, took Tai Chi, and volunteered at St. Francis Hospital after her retirement. She also sponsored a girl in Ecuador through Children's International.

Gail fought 3 different types of cancer for over 25 years and showed much courage in her daily battle. She served as a mentor to other women with ovarian cancer. She lived life to its fullest and loved God, her family, her cats and her country. She leaves this life peacefully and urges her loved ones to share her peace.

Survivors include a son, Mike Moses; brother, Mark. K. Petterson; and sister, Diane Goyette.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 21st at Dove Cremation & Funeral Service, 4020 SW 6th Ave. in Topeka. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will follow the service at Penwell Gabel Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Conversations, The Newsletter for Women with Ovarian Cancer, P.O. Box 7948 Amarillo, TX 79114 or Children International, 2000 East Red Bridge Road, P.O. Box 219055 Kansas City, MO 64121.