Gail Nina Wahrenberger died Jan. 23, 2014 in Seattle, Wash. after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer.

Gail was born Sept. 10, 1947 in New York, New York to Dr. Walter and Elizabeth Wahrenberger.

Gail grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey and then moved west to Boulder, Colo. to attend the University of Colorado. Gail took time to see the world and fly the friendly skies as a United Airlines flight attendant and then ultimately obtained her undergraduate degree at Oregon State University.

Once her son started school, she went to law school at the University of Oregon during which she had a stint back in Manhattan at the United Nations.

Gail practiced family law in Seattle for nearly 30 years with the majority of her career being spent at the Seattle law firm Stokes Lawrence. Gail was a zealous advocate for all of her clients. She used her compassion, intellect and humor to ensure that her clients survived the ordeal of divorce with as little damage to themselves and their family as possible. Gail volunteered at the downtown Seattle legal clinic for more than 25 years, providing legal counsel to individuals who could not afford to hire a lawyer.

Gail loved to travel with family and friends and commonly created a semi-serious competition as to who was the most valuable traveler on each trip. It was always an upset if anyone other than Gail won. Her fun-loving spirit was infectious. Those of us left behind are comforted by the many happy recollections of Gail enjoying the adventure of traveling around France and Italy, sailing in Tahiti or the Caribbean, and enjoying the sun and fun of Palm Springs.

Gail also loved gardening, cooking and entertaining family and friends at her homes on Bainbridge Island and Palm Springs.

Gail was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband David Tift; children Gulliver Swenson (Waverly), Callie and Ben, two grandchildren, Addie and Charlotte; and four siblings. Gail’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Virginia Mason Foundation, PO Box 1930, Seattle, WA 98111.

A service was held at the Town Hall in Seattle on Friday, Jan. 31.