Gail M. (Fitzwater) Truax, 85, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully October 6, 2025 at Hearthstone of Wildwood, Oxford, Florida. Born December 7, 1939 in Westfield, PA, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Leola (Wood) Fitzwater. She was the loving wife of Dr. Bennie S. Truax who preceded her in death on September 6, 2025 and with whom she
celebrated 65 years of marriage this past year.

Gail was a 1957 graduate of Cowanesque Valley Joint Senior High School, Westfield, PA. During her senior year, she had the honor of being chosen as her school’s representative for the State Good Citizen Competition, sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was also chosen as Miss Westfield by her classmates to represent her community
in the 1957 Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival Queen pageant. Gail went on to graduate from Mansfield State Teacher’s College in 1960 with a Bachelor’s in Education for Elementary Education and a Minor in Special Education. She taught elementary grades for Wellsboro School District, State College School District and Chambersburg School District.

Gail was an avid reader and always had a book with her no matter where she went. She encouraged her granddaughters to read as many books as they could and would always take them to the library when they visited. If she wasn’t reading, she was creating handmade postcards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and special occasions. She was the
organization to Bennie’s chaos. She supported him through all their life’s adventures whether that was obtaining multiple degrees, teaching at various schools, or exploring the world hand in hand. Her family was very important to her and she enjoyed spending the summers with her granddaughters at their lakehouse on Keuka Lake in New York. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, random singing outbursts, and her unwavering compassion for others.

Gail is survived by sons Todd (Amy and her daughter Callie) Truax and Timothy (Anita) Truax; granddaughters Chelsea Truax, Kirsten (Todd) Ditzler, and Ashley (Trey) Truax-Davis; great-grandsons Boone Truax and Henry Ditzler; sister-in-law Margaret “Peggy” Fitzwater; niece Denice (Boyd) Williams; nephew Dennis (Brandi) Fitzwater; great-nephews and great-niece
Caleb (Skylar) Fitzwater, Owen Fitzwater and Brynn Williams. She was also preceded in death by her brother Daniel “Bud” Fitzwater.

A combined Celebration of Life Service for Gail and Bennie will be held on October 29, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Lake Deaton United Methodist Church located at 6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood, FL 34785. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed on the following platforms:
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@LakeDeatonUMC/streams
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LakeDeatonUMC/
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made by check payable to Lake Deaton United
Methodist Church in care of the “Sonrise” Respite Program or the Coleman Oaks Thrift Store,
6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood, FL 34785.