For 17 years, I had the honour of serving as a volunteer, on the Board of Literacy Link Niagara while Gay was Executive Director. In that time, I came to know her not only as a colleague, but as a dear friend and one of the most genuine, positive and inspiring people I’ve ever met.
Gay led with passion and purpose on every project, and she had a deep love for her community. With an incredible gift for bringing people together, lifting others up, and lighting up the room, she made a huge impact on the organizations and the learners that LLN supported.
She was even more passionate about her family, who were her pride and joy. My deepest sympathy to her family and those who held Gay close.
Her warmth, wisdom and laughter were unforgettable traits that lifted your spirits. She will be truly missed.
Gay lived with intention, kindness, and a contagious zest for life. Her laughter, her wisdom, and her bubbly personality will be missed more than words can express by everyone that knew her.
I share a part of her beautifully written obituary. Gay touched so many lives in our community and her legacy deserves to be celebrated far and wide...
More than just a Broadway musical lyric - it was a way of life for Gay Douglas. So deeply did she believe in living fully, embracing each moment, that at 73 years old, she had those very words tattooed on her arm. A quiet but powerful reminder of the bold, beautiful way she moved through the world.
With hearts full of love and deep sorrow, we announce the passing of an extraordinary woman, Gay Douglas. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and a life fully lived. Gay passed peacefully at Carpenter Hospice, surrounded by the love she so freely gave throughout her life. The family extends deep gratitude to the staff and volunteers for the compassionate care and beautiful space they provided in her final days.
To know Gay was to be embraced by warmth, wit and an unstoppable zest for life. She had a radiant smile, a laugh that lit up the room and a spirit that made every moment feel like an adventure. Whether it was sharing a glass of wine at happy hour, belting out a Broadway show tune, offering razor-sharp commentary on Judge Judy or the latest true crime documentary, Gay had a way of turning even the simplest moment into something memorable.
She was the epitome of strength and light - a woman whose resilience was unmatched. No matter what life brought her way, Gay met it with grace, humour and grit. She inspired those around her by not just surviving the hard times; but by shining through them. Her strength was the kind that didn’t demand attention but quietly lifted others. She guided so many - through tough decisions, big dreams, heartbreaks and new beginnings - simply by being exactly who she was.
Gay was a devoted mother and proud Nana, whose love knew no bounds. Her children, Aaron and Shannon, weren’t just her kids - they were her best friends, her sounding boards, and her greatest joy. Their relationship was rooted in honesty, trust and deep mutual respect - a rare and beautiful blend of friendship and motherhood. She was endlessly proud of the people they had become and never missed a chance to tell them or others so.
Family meant everything to Gay, she found such joy in the everyday connection of their group chat - an ongoing thread of love, updates, inside jokes and encouragement that kept her children, and her older grandchildren feeling close no matter where life took them. Her beloved grandchildren, Gabrielle, James and Bella, were the lights of her life. She adored them fiercely, celebrated them wholeheartedly and filled their lives with fun, laughter and memories they’ll carry forever.
She was also a loving stepmother to Mark and Robert, embracing them with the same deep care, compassion, and wholehearted presence she gave to everyone fortunate enough to be part of her world.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Russell, who passed in July 1986, and her husband, Peter Broerse, who passed in June 2022.
For over 25 years, Gay served as the Executive Director of Literacy Link Niagara, a role she redefined with her signature mix of vision, heart and humility. She was known for asking the hard questions no one else would ask and for adapting every project to serve community needs, not just funder expectations. Gay believed in the power of collaboration, bringing organizations together to share resources and spark meaningful change. Her leadership philosophy “Follow me, I’m right behind you” was more than a clever turn of phrase; it was how she empowered her staff to take risks, make mistakes and grow into their strengths.
Over the years, the team she built at Literacy Link became like family, bound not just by work but by mutual care, shared vision and deep trust. One of the most profound examples of that trust was when Gay chose to share her role as Executive Director, allowing others to step into leadership, blossom and grow under her wing. It was a rare kind of partnership - one built on honesty, humour and heart that made their work not only impactful, but truly joyful.
She later launched Gay Douglas & Associates, supporting non-profits in governance and strategic planning, she founded Trustworthy Transitions, a beloved family-run business. She served on many Boards and was a familiar presence in community spaces - always showing up, always making a difference. Though deeply professional, working with Gay always felt personal. She remembered birthdays, milestones and quiet struggles - and she always followed up to ask how you were really doing.
Her incredible circle of friends, deep community ties and wide network of professional relationships speak volumes about the kind of person she was. Gay mentored countless individuals over the years with her wisdom, compassion and unwavering support. Whether you met her once or knew her for decades, she made you feel seen, heard, and inspired.
In recent years, Gay embraced a new chapter - traveling the world and collecting unforgettable experiences. From Egypt to Bali, she soaked in culture, beauty and joy; always returning with stories to share and new perspective. She also adored her dog, Bear, whose companionship brought her peace, purpose and plenty of long walks and couch cuddles.
Despite her full schedule, Gay was always there when you needed her. Her famous expressions like “Fabulous!” and “Life is good!” weren’t just words - they were a mindset she embodied every single day. A lover of music, theatre, good company and meaningful conversation, she filled her life - and the lives of those around her - with joy.
We thought she would live forever - and in so many ways, she will. In the stories we tell, the laughter we share, the lives she touched and the legacy she built with such intention and love.
There’s no day but today. And today, we remember a woman who made every day a little brighter.
Rest peacefully, Gay. Thank you for the light you brought to this world. Your spirit will live on in our hearts and in our memories.
We will miss you deeply, Gay - but we will carry you with us, always. In our words, in our choices, in the way we show up for each other. You’ll always be part of us.
