Gail Anderson-3-28-2025

GAIL (ALLEYNE) ANDERSON, aged 82, entered into eternal peace on March 13, 2025, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ, in the presence of her beloved and devoted daughter Cheryl. Hardly leaving her side during her last days, Cheryl was there to offer words of encouragement, to hold her hands, and smother her with kisses. The atmosphere in the room was often filled with words of prayer as gospel music played softly in the background.

Gail was born on May 27, 1942, in Red Bank, NJ, to Charles Herbert Alleyne, Sr. and Lillian Butler Alleyne, with whom she shared a birthday. She was known as a daddy’s girl and raised in a loving home on West Bergen Place along with her siblings and maternal grandmother, Beatrice “Bowie” Brooks. Gail married Kenneth R. Wade of Neptune, NJ right out of high school and found great joy in being a mother to their children, Mark Anthony Wade of Wall Township, NJ, and Cheryl Gail Wade of Alexandria, VA.  They later divorced but remained an important part of each other's lives. She also remained close with her second husband, Lawrence Anderson of Port St. Lucie, FL, with whom she maintained a lasting friendship.

Gail was a lifelong member of the Shrewsbury Avenue AME Zion Church and was a proud graduate of the Red Bank High School Class of 1961. Gail was a courageous woman of deep faith, great wisdom, and compassion.

Gail’s first job was as a Shampoo Girl working in the hair salon owned by her grandmother Rose Alleyne and aunt Athelene Alleyne. It was there she enjoyed finding out the latest news of the day which she would then share with her sisters. After a short stint with Progressive Life Insurance Company, Gail joined the New Jersey Highway Authority - Garden State Parkway which would become her “work home” for the next 39 years. Before retiring in 2000, she worked in various departments however her most exciting position was as Ticketing Systems Supervisor for the Garden State Arts Center where she was able to meet many legendary performers. Gail helped countless individuals find employment, many of whom went on to have successful careers at the Garden State Parkway. This lengthy list included her very own mother and mother-in-law, both of whom ended up retiring from the Parkway as Senior Toll Collectors.

In her retirement, she could be found crocheting beautiful blankets or working on one of her many word search puzzle books. Gail’s love for family and friends was boundless. She cherished long conversations and could spend hours on the phone with those she loved. Her “stories” (daytime soap operas) were a daily ritual, and no one dared call her between 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm while they were on! Gail spent most evenings enjoying an early dinner with good friends at Seabrook. She loved to travel, often taking trips domestically and abroad with her daughter, sisters, nieces, and closest friends and she especially loved the Alleyne Family Reunions!

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Gail was an ardent advocate for the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With boldness and bravery, she fought tirelessly for the educational rights of children with differing abilities by first challenging the Neptune Township Board of Education to accommodate Mark’s needs. She then formed a group that took on the state of New Jersey to ensure parents had the right to choose the educational setting that best suited their children’s needs, even if it meant providing education out of state. Gail and the other “Don Guanella” moms were trailblazers who made a profound impact on the lives of many!

Gail found immense joy in serving others. She joined the Central Jersey Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. in 1985 and later became a Life Member. She was 2^nd Vice President in charge of membership from 2000 – 2002 and was actively involved in numerous committees, including Liberation Scholarship Dance, Founders Day Luncheon, and the Sister Academy. She also participated in breast cancer awareness events, Read Across America, and efforts to increase voter registration, among many other initiatives.

Amongst Gail’s many achievements she was most proud of her work with The ARC of Monmouth, an organization that promotes and protects the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2006 she received the Faithful Service Award from the Neptune Chapter of the New Jersey Orators for her support as a coach of the student participants. Gail was a founding member of the African American Arts and Heritage Festival that ran at the Garden State Arts Center for close to 30 years and in 2012 she was recognized for her dedication to this event with the Founding Committee Award.

Gail was not only smart and generous but also deeply devoted to young people, sharing her experiences and offering guidance. Her legacy of love, advocacy, and community service will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

She fought courageously for decades through significant health challenges that most would have found insurmountable. She was a three-time cancer survivor who proudly called herself “a tough old broad” every time she persevered in defeating the disease. Simply put – Gail was FIERCE!

She said she would fight until God came to bring her home, and she did just that! While Gail will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and the many lives she touched, we know she now has the peace, joy, and freedom she so richly deserves. She has truly EARNED her wings. May she rest in eternal peace.

Gail was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Beatrice Alleyne O’Neill with whom she had a deep and special bond. She is survived by her two loving children and by her devoted siblings whom she loved dearly: Carmen Alleyne of Suffolk, VA, Marva Dizard of Asbury Park, NJ, Charles Alleyne (Jacqueline) of Los Angeles, CA, Michael Alleyne (Gail) of Neptune, NJ, Ramona J.A. Young of Boynton Beach, FL. She also leaves to mourn her passing cousin William Steele of Greenwood, IN, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, B&P Central Jersey Club Sisters and her cherished lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Central Jersey Club of the NANBPWC, Inc., in recognition of Gail’s lifelong dedication to the organization. Contributions are tax-deductible and will go towards the Gail Anderson Scholarship Fund. To make a contribution, please use the QR code or link below. Alternatively, checks can be made payable to The Central Jersey Club, NANBPWC with a note in the memo, Gail Anderson Scholarship, and mailed to P.O. Box 1161, Asbury Park, NJ 07712.

Central Jersey Club, NANBPWC – Gail Anderson Scholarship Fund