Gail Kemp Sheffield, 72

Gail Kemp Sheffield, born Sept. 6, 1940, in Houston, died Oct. 4, 2012, in Kalispell, after a brief illness.

Gail grew up in Houston, graduated from Louisiana State University with a master’s degree and was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, then became a flight attendant for Pan Am Airlines. 

She then married Charles Harwell Sheffield. 

Gail continued her education with a law degree at Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. in anthropology from Tulane University. She was a published author and an accomplished artist. 

Gail and Charlie lived in the Virgin Islands for two years before moving back to Kentwood, La. She became an assistant district attorney in Tangipahoa Parish. After Charlie retired, they lived in Slidell, Ponchatoula and Covington, La., and then in Kalispell. 

While in Covington, Gail became very active with the Feral Cat Consortium.  Feral cats and rescue became her passion. After moving to Kalispell, she became active in Flathead Spay & Neuter Task Force which also deals with feral cats. Gail was known as “The Cat Lady” to many people.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Charles “Charlie” Sheffield; and her parents, Harold and Jane Kemp.

Gail is survived by her sister, Patricia Kemp Whitfield, of Guy, Texas; two nieces and one nephew. She is also survived by close, longtime friends, Julia and Joe Arthur Sims. Besides leaving behind other numerous friends, she leaves Anie, her Welsh Corgi, and her cats Girlie, Knickers and Thump.  

Gail will be missed by all, animals and people alike, and if she could, would ask for donations to Flathead Spay & Neuter Task Force, P.O. Box 2095, Whitefish, MT 59937, to be made in her name.

There will be a celebration of Gail's life on Saturday. For more information, please call Julia Sims at (406) 257-7698.