Gail Lee Carstensen was called home by her Lord suddenly on July 27, 2008, while vacationing in Belen, N.M.

Gail was born July 24, 1942, to Frank and Wanda Worsing in Olympia where she attended school through the 11th grade. July 2, 1959, she married William R. Carstensen Sr. and traveled with him during his naval career to Astoria, Ore., Port Hueneme, Calif., San Diego, Guam, San Francisco and NAS Whidbey Island, where they made their home in Coupeville for the past 38 years.

Gail’s foremost desire was to be a homemaker. As the children grew older and were able to take on responsibilities at home she sold Avon Products. Later, she was employed by Hoyt Holster Co. of Coupeville and then Bunnies by the Bay in Anacortes. She loved gardening, planting specific flowers, shrubs and trees along with bird feeders to attract a variety of birds to her backyard. She also enjoyed needlework, including tatting, knitting, and embroidery, and made gifts for all her family and special friends.

Gail loved her Lord, the family He gave her, and her extended family of church and friends, all of whom she prayed for daily.

In addition to her husband of 49 years, Gail is survived by her mother Wanda (Worsing) Wooster of Lacey; her sister Linda and her husband Don Halterman of Spanaway; three daughters, Roxanna and her husband Vaughn Hendren of Belen, N.M., Rhonda and her husband Michael Thomas of Granite Falls, and Rayna and her husband Brad Skiff of Bridgeport, Wash.; one son, William R. Carstensen, Jr. of Coupeville; 11 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at the Community Bible Church of Los Luna, N.M., for family and friends in New Mexico.

A local memorial service will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.