Nancy Gale
Secretary

Nancy Gale was raised in Akron, Ohio and went to Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH. There she met her husband to be, “Windy” “Zeph” George Gale. They were married in June of 1957 and went to Chateauroux, France, courtesy of the US Air Force. Their son, Michael, was born soon after they arrived and their daughter, Peggy, was born right before they flew home in 1960 — a Valentine baby. They explored Europe in their TR3 with Mike riding under the tonneau cover with the bottle sterilizer on the luggage rack! When they returned to the US in 1960, they lived in Grand Rapids, MI; East Greenwich, RI; Milwaukee, WI (Mequon); and then back to Grand Rapids for 20 years. During those years in Grand Rapids, Nancy went back to college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. She and their youngest child, Marge, who was in high school at the time, studied together. During the kids’ school years Nancy participated in scouting programs, PTA, and the kids’ sports. She and her husband and children spent many happy hours on Lake Michigan on their sailboat, “Silver Girl.”

After the children were gone, Nancy and a friend owned and operated a women’s boutique in Grand Rapids called “Off Broadway” where her business degree was put to good use. When her friend moved away, the store closed and travel gained a place in George and Nancy’s hearts. In 1988, they fulfilled their dream of living by the water and moved to Bellingham, WA. Boating was a passion, and exploring the waters of Canada and WA by boat was an amazing experience.

Shortly after moving to Bellingham, Nancy joined the board of Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood and subsequently served on the WA state Planned Parenthood 501C4 board where she did vetting of candidates who asked for endorsement, planned for PP action in support of candidates, and strived to carry out the mission of serving the reproductive needs of the women of Washington state. George and Nancy’s family continues to grow: they now have eight great-grandchildren, four boys and four girls, ages 10 years to 3 months.

In 1993, George and Nancy discovered the inaugural season of the Bellingham Festival of Music and attended concerts every year thereafter. They were awed by the wonderful musicians in the orchestra, the programming, and the intense experience of the music. Nancy and George became home hosts for Festival musicians and through that avenue, found new ways to experience the Festival and its culture. In 2010, they became home hosts to Steven Thomas, principal cello. Over the years they have grown to cherish the friendship they have with Steven and his wife Renate. Nancy joined the Festival Board in January of 2014. She currently serves on the auction committee and is Secretary of the board.