Gail Elizabeth McKee

Gail Elizabeth McKee was born April 2nd, 1959, the second child of Clark and Louise McKee. She died with family by her side on December 22nd, 2017.

Gail lived life to the fullest. She had a drive for adventure and learning that led her to writing, bicycling, running, hiking, playing guitar and piano, traveling the world, and even skydiving and dog sledding. She published a children’s book, was fascinated by the masks of Venice, enjoyed the arts, and loved the beauty of flowers. She was particularly devoted to her pets and was never without furry friends. She was often the “spark” for family gatherings and reunions, and loved to encourage her nieces and nephew in their endeavors. Throughout her battle with cancer, Gail never stopped trying new things. She took piano and writing lessons until the very end of her life.

Gail was born in San Jose, CA. The family moved to Ben Lomond, CA when she was three, Wilmington, NC when she was eight, and the Tri-Cities in southeastern Washington state when she was ten.

Gail attended the University of Washington in Seattle, where she received her English degree. Upon her graduation in 1981, she moved to New York and found a position with Hewitt Associates, an employee benefits consulting firm. Gail’s intelligence, drive, and customer focus soon put her career on an upward path. Over the years she worked for Hewitt, Disney, and Willis Towers Watson and its predecessors. Gail lived in Los Angeles from 1984 to 2000, and then moved back to Seattle. She served as a Market Leader and Managing Consultant for Watson Wyatt during those years, and was also one of two internally-selected Directors to the Board. Her clients included some of the world’s largest and most influential organizations. In 2011 she took the position of Chief HR Officer for Towers Watson and moved to Washington, D.C. After her retirement in 2016, she moved back to Seattle where she volunteered with the International Women’s Forum.

Gail is survived by her father, Clark McKee, sisters, Laura Phillips (Dean Phillips) and Julia Hossack, (Jim Hossack) nephew and nieces Aaron Hossack, Elsa Phillips, Renae Phillips, and Katrina Murray (Seth Murray), great-nephew Mark Murray, uncles Robert Johnson and Richard Beeson (Elli Frye), and many loving extended family members. The family is very grateful to Sue Jarchow for her loving care and assistance during Gail’s life and especially these last few years.

A private memorial is planned for family and close friends. The family requests that others who would like to honor her make a donation of any size in her name to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Please share memories on the online guestbook for Gail at emmickfunerals.com

Emmick Family Funeral & Cremation Services - West Seattle