It is with honor and respect that I write my memories of knowing Gail Solomon. Watching her take on life, her way, over the many years that I knew her, was inspiring, curious and I truly did not know anyone quite like Gail. Her quest to find whatever it was she was seeking, during various phases of our lives, was unique and at times even quirky. I say this in the best of ways. Gail wasn’t afraid to be exactly who she was, with me anyway, and sometimes that was quirky. I admired this in Gail because so many people were afraid to just be real.
Gail spent a lot of time at my house growing up in Tulsa and much of that time was spent with her sitting with my Mom, Shirley Levin, who had a wonderful gift of listening, encouraging but also honestly challenging Gail to stop and think through what she might be saying about whatever or whoever was troubling her. Gail trusted Mom who she knew would keep their talks in confidence. I used to wonder why I wasn’t jealous of the time Mom gave to Gail but instead, I was proud. Gail was my friend and needed counsel at various times and I was happy to share my Mom. Even though I wasn’t privy to their chats, unless Gail shared, their relationship made Gail and me closer somehow. It was special and they loved each other.
Gail and I shared Sunday School and Hebrew School, junior high school, some of high school and B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. We carpooled, had sleepovers, and just had our own special friendship separate from the other friends we both had. We had a quiet bond that we both felt and a respect for our differences.
When Gail moved to Israel, it was so brave and absolutely foreign to me. I was excited for her, envious of her worldly interests. It was a life I could not imagine. At that time in our lives, I had never been to Israel and due to finances; it was nowhere in the near future. We wrote letters on Aerograms back and forth and I so wish I still had her letters — too many moves over the many decades. I recall worrying about Gail’s epilepsy and was very protective of her at all the schools we attended together. I wanted to know she had someone in Israel to advocate for her and of course she found a world of friends and of course, Avi, to love her and to love right back.
As we grew older, married and had children, life got in our way all too often. The beauty I found in our friendship, however, was that whenever we did see each other, we always picked right up from where we left off—like no time has passed at all. I tried to plan trips to Tulsa if I knew she was going to be there visiting Mort and Grace and Jan or attending a Finer family event or one of our high school reunions. It was always a treat. We would let each other know if we were going to be in Tulsa in case it would work out to be there at the same time.
Gail was kind and giving and showed her true nature to my husband Leo in a big way. He went to Israel in the late 90’s for a work trip and contacted Gail to get together. They had only met a time or two in Tulsa and when I asked if he could contact her while there, she not only said of course, she spent an entire day with him showing him around and he loved hearing her perspective on life in Israel. It was an experience she enhanced with her knowledge, warmth and kindness and he has never forgotten it.
My last contact with Gail was June 21, 2025 through What’s App. I sent pictures to her from our high school days. Then on June 23, 2025 I checked in and she told me that she and Avi were in their safe room laughing at DJT (who she called Carrot) because he announced there was a ceasefire but she said there were missiles flying overhead and that he announced that for the US and that no one acknowledged it in Israel. She wrote, and I quote, “This is a ceasefire”? Gail spoke the truth and I loved that about her.
I have always found it fitting that Gail became an ace quilter. It so fits her personality and journey through life. So many different phases and accomplishments; challenges and challenges overcome; complex patchworks of life as she saw it and lived it; simple beauty inside and out. I miss her giggle and our What’s App texts and seeing her to just pick up wherever we left off the last time. Gail was special and will always remain in my heart. May her memory be for many blessings for all who were fortunate enough to be touched by Gail Solomon Schmidt.
Love,
Debbie Levin Jardot