Gail Ann Valentine (nee Cover) 1949 – 2009 

Born at Shorncliffe on the north shore of Brisbane on 9 October, 1949, Gail Ann Cover was the youngest of the three girls in Rod and Mavis Cover’s brood of four of children. The others included older sisters Marion and Robyn and older brother Alan. A spacious Queenslander style family home at 20 Nearra Street in Deagon provided a safe, carefree childhood haven that nurtured many early warm memories but Gail’s early years also revolved around the life of the little Sandgate Adventist congregation, of which her father was the lay leader.  

Gail attended Sandgate Primary School from 1955 to 1962 and Sandgate State High School until 1967. High school was just across the road from the family home in Deagon, which meant many extra hours of basketball before and after school.  
Upon completing High School Gail took up employment with an insurance company in Brisbane to earn her fees for a year of study at Avondale College. She completed the Accountancy Certificate program in 1969 and accepted a clerical position at the Signs Publishing Company Office in Warburton, Victoria the following year.  

It was in Warburton in early 1970 that Gail met New Zealander, Gilbert Valentine, who was the Youth Pastor of the church. Before the year was out Gail had accepted Gil’s proposal of marriage and they were married the following July in Brisbane in 1971. Gail quickly adapted to her new role of Pastoral spouse and found joy and fulfilment in making ministry a team effort. Her natural gifts of hospitality and sensitivity to the needs of others were an ideal fit for ministry.  Marriage to a pastor, however, did entail certain costs, as she found her own career interests being repeatedly interrupted. Ministry took them from Brisbane at the end of 1972 to Newcastle for barely 18 months and then across the Tasman to Longburn Adventist College. During these early years Gail held a variety of positions, from accountancy work with the Catholic Archdiocese in Brisbane, Office Administrator for IBM in Newcastle and payroll work for the Local City Council in Palmerston North. 

The transfer to NZ in 1974 was Gail’s first introduction to culture shock. Was it really a different country? New friendships not only helped ease the transition but formed firm anchor points for life. And besides, Longburn provided an ideal place to start a family. Andrew arrived in 1975 and Lincoln in 1978.  

In 1978, inspired by Lyell and Gaylene Heise upon their return from Andrews University (Michigan, USA) and encouraged by Jean and Errol McDonald, Gail felt bold enough to venture across the Pacific with her husband in pursuit of his dream of doctoral studies in the US. The move involved taking an extended leave of absence without pay. Typical of her courage and faith, Gail willingly sold up household possessions, packed her life into a suitcase, picked up her two young sons aged three and 1-month and bravely undertook to support and care for the family in Michigan, USA. Gail’s achievement in those four years was in every respect the equal to Gil’s formidably lengthy PhD. This commitment to family and service undergirded by her courage and faith would eventually take her to Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Australia and Thailand.   

During the four years in America Gail put her own study and career interests on hold to devote time to her young family and keeping household finances afloat. It was not until 1983 when the family returned to Australia to a pastoring role at Castle Hill Church in Sydney that she at last had the opportunity of continuing her own further education. At this time she completed a number of Teaching Certificates and Diplomas in Commercial Education and taught post secondary students at local colleges.   

Gail faced an enormously difficult decision at the end of 1985 when Gil was requested to go to Pakistan to head up the Adventist Seminary. For Gail this meant she would again have to interrupt her studies and put her career on hold. It hurt.  But her commitment to ministry and a basic trust that things would work out in God’s own time sustained her in the decision to go to the little Punjab town of Farooqabad. In Pakistan, her energy and enthusiasm in mission, her strong public relations, networking and fundraising skills, and her talent for organisation made a valued and lasting contribution to the College. Friends from Castle Hill responded enthusiastically to Gail’s suggestions for ways to support the school, helping to fund infrastructure such as the bricked roads from the Lauder Family, guest facilities from the Whatson Family, and the college’s first computer laboratory courtesy of John and Jeanette Kemp. Others provided valued help for impoverished students. Her links with people in the World Vision organisation resulted in large amounts of funding both for the college and its community. None of this would have happened without her. Gail was the facilitator, the networker, the motivator, the supporter and the doer.  

It was when the Church called Gil to Newbold College in the UK in 1990 that Gail once again had the opportunity to take up her dream of further studies. Gail secured a teaching position at Henley College at Henley-on-Thames. In 1992 she completed an advanced teaching qualification at the University of Reading and followed this with a Master of Science Degree in School and College Management from Brunel University in West London in 1994. She was unable to attend Graduation however.  Her family was on the move again.   

This next move brought Gail back home to Australia near her parents and siblings. She secured a teaching assignment at TAFE but soon another opportunity opened up at her alma mater, Avondale College and she was selected to head the Vocational Studies Office Administration program. To this, in characteristic fashion, she committed her full energies and skills for the next six years seeking to grow and develop the program. She became a mentor to many students, contributed to their success and continued to facilitate and encourage their further growth and development. Her work lives on most profoundly in the lives of her students.  

Gail was a bundle of energy and ideas, quick off the mark, (sometimes too quick perhaps). She was also expert at detailed organisation. She had a sturdy determination when she thought she was right and was being treated unjustly. She could occasionally get in the hair of an administrator as Geoff Madigan, Dr Siriporn and Mack Tennyson of Mission College know. And if she sometimes stepped on a colleagues toes it was not because she intended to hurt – she was just impatient for change and wanted things done well. She had her own mind, believed she had right to speak it and would do so. But she also believed that the Christian and professional way necessitated graciousness and she unfailingly exemplified this in spite of the occasional disagreements.   

Gail’s experiences in cultural adaptation and learning to work in close compound environments with others was put to good use with an enduring commitment to helping others to adjust to new settings. Going out of her way to help ensure easy transitions for newcomers on campus was never a burden. Gail was also firmly resolved that if she was to be a missionary wife, she would do it in style. She wore local costume and the mandatory head scarf, the “dupatta”, in Pakistan, but nevertheless wore it with panache. She was ever a classy, stylish dresser with elegant taste and almost as many hairstyles over the years as she had dresses.  For Gail, shopping for clothes and knickknacks was a lifelong passion – to be enjoyed best with friends and their money as well as hers.  She also believed that home should be a place of taste and culture and she was a talented and creative homemaker combining in the décor, elements of the various countries and cultures she had lived in.  

During the years at Avondale Gail had developed a deepening interest in Human Resource Management and Development. It was at this time that she began another graduate study program at Charles Sturt University.   

In late 2000 Gil and Gail were asked to help establish the new university college being developed at Muak Lek in Thailand. This time Gail’s appointment was as a full-time expatriate lecturer in her own right. With the same fierce determination, she went on to complete her second Master’s Degree by distance education in 2005. Her study not only enriched her teaching but enabled her to successfully develop the first Human Resources office on the campus. As the HR director for the College she inculcated a fresh new culture of caring professionalism in the institution’s Human Resource Management.  

Gail loved teaching and students loved her classes. She was mentor to many and she was always excited to learn of her students’ later successes, career opportunities, or simply their success in love. In later years, former students continued to call even from overseas to ask for counsel or advice on some matter or some relationship or just to share some good news and have a chat.  

Although she did not find a lot of meaning in the “Wednesday night prayer meeting” type of piety, Gail was a woman of quiet, warm, genuine personal and private spirituality who sought more in practical ways the sharing of Gods grace and blessing to others. George Knight’s dedication of his 2008 book, the Cross of Christ, to Gail and her husband meant much to her and was a tribute to her quiet spirituality. In the dedication George acknowledged her as a special person “devoted to Christ and His Cross.”  “Thank you” he added on the title page, “for 30 years of friendship”. Gail had typed the manuscript for George’s first book. 

In October 2006 while visiting Australia mentoring some Thai teaching colleagues the surprise diagnosis of an already advanced cancer brought Gail’s teaching career to a sudden halt. The prognosis for survival was distressingly short. But with typical fortitude and courage she committed to the prospect of radical chemotherapy and repeated radiotherapy.  

She was deeply grateful for the courage and skill of her oncologist Dr Gavin Marx whom she believed God used with his modern day gift of healing to give her more time than she had dared to imagine possible. In spite of the mists and haze of chemotherapy she felt enormously grateful that she was able to enjoy the blessings of continued friendships, seeing her sons achieve important goals and have the pleasure of fulfilling at least some of her dreams. One was a brave and risky visit to the Great Wall of China to celebrate the end of Chemotherapy - in spite of bald scalp. It was something of a triumph of her spirit. 

Gail succumbed eventually to the ravages of her cruel illness on March 23 brave and trusting to the last. Funeral services were conducted in the Avondale College Church on March 27 and she was laid to rest in the Avondale Cemetery. 

If the words of John Greenleaf Whittier about his trust in God might with apologies be slightly adapted, they would apply as well to Gail as to the poet.  “She knew not where His islands lift, their fronded palms in air, she only knew she could not drift, beyond his love and care.”   And “in the maddening maze of things, and tossed by storm and flood, to one fixed trust her spirit clung.  She knew that God is good.”

“If it hadn’t been for Gail . . .”

“. . . an extraordinary woman and an encouraging and compassionate Friend.”

“. . . it was Gail’s quiet support from the side-lines that made the biggest impression on me.  Any time that a church member participated in our worship service, they received a note in the mail the following week thanking them for their participation and contribution to the church family. A scripture reading, a prayer, even helping out in other capacities around the church, no task was too small to go unnoticed.

I often say that it’s because of Gail Valentine, that I’m so involved in our church family today. That persistent encouragement meant a lot to me and pushed me to explore different areas of worship.  She watched, she listened and she never failed to act, and I’ll always love her for it.

Gail’s influence inspired many to do more, achieve, receive higher qualifications, encourage others and so much more… If it wasn’t for Gail, what richness would be lacking in our lives. How we will miss that loving and mischievous smile!”

Carolyn Long
CHIRP Editor

For the full article on Gail visit the website http://castlehill.org.au

“Gail was a lovely friend to have.  She had a bit of mischief in her but also a lot of common sense and compassion . . .”
Heather Webster
Castle Hill

“I remember that she helped my family to be as comfortable as possible when we first came to Mission College.

Her life and struggle have truly inspired so many of us here to face life with courage and faith.”

Nola Tudu
Faculty of Arts
Mission College

“At Castle Hill, Gail served as a co-pastor with Gil (unpaid of course).  Empathetic, sensitive and intuitive, Gail was always on alert, noticing the sad face, the slumped shoulder, the awkwardness of a visitor.  And she’d be there beside them, beside us, quick to support and encourage. 
  
I remember one Friday afternoon when Gail came to my rescue.  I’d been held up at school at Strathfield and our 11year old daughter was stranded at Castle Hill church school waiting for me to pick her up.  A phone call to Gail and all was sorted; she collected Nicki and took her to her house.  When I finally arrived hassled and apologetic, knowing that Gail would have been trying to get ready for Sabbath guests, I found Nicki bursting with pride.  Gail had helped her prepare a savoury for our family.  It was warm from the oven wrapped in a pretty hand-towel, with the recipe typed out as well.  I never managed to return that hand towel!  But whenever I cook that savoury, I remember Gail’s “act of kindness and of love”.

She never switched off, was always alert to the needs of students, colleagues, all in her orbit.

Gail was creative, passionate, fiercely loyal, quick to think of a new approach and full of spirit, a strong spirit and a strong faith.  These last qualities were never more evident than in these last years as she fought for every moment of life.”
Jeanette Kemp
Castle Hill and Mission College
Funeral Service Leader

“I’ve always admired you and been grateful to you for giving me my ‘start in teaching’.  If it hadn’t been for you getting me to take the study tours at Avondale and tutoring . . . I wouldn’t have had the experience to write essays . . . and I wouldn’t probably be where I am today.  Thanks so much.”

Carelle Colquhoun
ESL Teacher
Southport, QLD

“I thank God for her influence at a very important and happy time of my life there at Longburn those years ago.”
Jake Ormsby
Pastor, New Zealand

“. . . I will never forget the time and encouragement that Gail gave me as mentor when we arrived at Avondale.  Gail was such a role model, and a special kind of person.  I always wanted to be just like Gail – always caring and professional.”

Narissa Currow
Ellen G. White Centre
Newbold College, UK

“Gail was a wonderful and gracious person who personified the best of true womanhood.  We were honoured to know her as a dear friend.

I’ll never forget working closely with her at Andrews as she typed and massaged my doctoral manuscript.  Our last brief visit with you in Sydney in August 2007 will remain etched in our minds as we witnessed Gail’s positive demeanour despite the toll that disease was exacting on her life.”

Alf and Estelle Birch
Oregon

“Gail was so welcoming and a good friend as we settled into life in Thailand.  She took time for all the questions that newcomers have and became a special friend. . . . Her grace and dignity through adversity has been an inspiration, and her positive spirit has been admirable.  We will miss her.”

George and Kay Larsen
CEO, Bangkok Adventist Hospital

“Gail was a wonderful lady, and we will long remember her positive approach to life and her warm, ready smile.”

Graeme and Kay Humble
School of Theology, PAU
PNG

“Now that the final stroke of the pen has written on the page of Gail’s life, I would like to reflect on the genuine feeling of loss that those who knew her well are feeling.  I am also aware of the great energy, enthusiasm and organisational skill that she gave to the tasks assigned to her and the great job she was able to do in helping create a better organisation here at Mission College.  We are indebted to . . . her . . for many things.”

Warren Shipton
President
Mission College

“Gail’s warmth, grace, generosity, hospitality and friendship touch so many people.  We were blessed by her friendship.”

Lynette and Norm Carlsen
Avondale

“We weep for Gail with fond memories of her, of you, and a little café near the sea.  Another simple meal awaits us, a cup of heavenly and a roll.”

Smuts and Arlene van Rooyen
Ventura Adventist Church
Southern California

“We will miss our dear friend.  She was a role model for all the ladies here.  She was someone that really lived every day to the fullest . . .her spirit has touch many people’s lives as it has mine.  I can still see her coming into our office smiling, that really made me feel good.”

Sheila Fanwar
Academic Office, Muak Lek

“Gail was such a vivacious woman, so full of life, and I know you will all miss her terribly.”

Murvin and Carol Nicks
PAS Teaching Colleagues
Canada

Tributes – Former Students

“Ma’am Gail, I remember one early morning at Mission College around 8 years ago . . .  Knowing that I was very sad, lonesome and isolated you came to me in a very friendly way asking me to have your morning walk with you.  I don’t remember all that we talked about that morning, but I remember that you showed love and care for me.  There were things that I thought I could not share with anyone because I believed that no one could understand or accept me for who I really am, but you did.  There were things that I could not tell my Mom, but with your love and care I could tell you all my feelings.  You listened to me and understood . . .  I miss being able to call you, hearing your voice telling me what you have done, how you are feeling . . . I miss you Ma’am.”

TrucKhanh Tran
Class of 2003
Vietnam

“I know I will always remember Gail for her kindness and compassion that she showed me while in her care at Avondale.”

Simone Kleinig
Brisbane

“Mrs Gail was more than just a wonderful person; she was and always be a respected teacher whom I look up to.  She was so kind and considerate to me.”

Dang Ngoc Phuong Uyen (Maika)
Vietnam

“I feel so thankful to know her.  She has given me a dream to be a successful strong woman just like her.”

Nguyen Phuong Linh
Vietnam

“Ma’am Gail, it was a privilege to be your student, a C student . . .

I remember the time that I was just a new student.  I felt very confused to choose which department I should pursue for my future career.  At that time I found myself in your office.  You smiled at me, and talked slowly, because my English was not good.  You helped solve my puzzle and drew a big picture of my career. . . If I did not have your advice and kindness, I think that I still don’t know who I am now.  Thank you Mrs Gail.  Your C student . . .

Nam
Vietnam

“When I heard about Mrs Gail I could not hold my emotion in front of many lay-members gathered here in the Mission.  I share with them about her . . . there are so many miracles on her life that touched us . .  from her smile, and how to be good in interview, and how to keep the chopstick, spoon and behave in the banquet for our graduation party. . . . In our hearts we love Mrs Gail very much.”

Anh Tuyet Le
Pastoral Intern
Vietnam