Dr. Gail A. Donaldson, 74, of Holliston, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, February 24, 2025. Born in Newton, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Catherine (Cuff ) Harsha and the late Roy Argyle Donaldson of  New Jersey. Gail was the devoted wife of Martha “Marty” (Holmes) Nickerson for 20 years, having shared a loving partnership since 1980.

A dedicated member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Sherborn, Gail embodied the values of activism, mentorship, and community building. As a member of the congregation, she served for many years in church leadership as the President and as a member of the Committee on Ministry. She also was a coming-of-age mentor to multiple youth. She was instrumental in advocating for and assisting the congregation in obtaining the status of  ‘Welcoming Congregation.’ This allowed the church to become a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community.

She was a world traveler having backpacked through Europe as a young adult, and traveled throughout the United States and abroad in later years; notable trips included Scotland and Iceland. Gail obtained her Masters in business from Simmons University and then attended Boston College where she obtained a PhD in 1994. With her advanced degree, she served the Holliston community and beyond as a licensed psychologist for 30 years.

Gail was a three-time breast cancer survivor. After her first bout of defeating cancer, she participated in and completed the Pan-Mass Challenge biking across the state to raise money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Later in life, she became an amateur photographer and member of “Chicks That Click” photography club that focused on their love of camping, kayaking, and photographing wildlife. Gail’s primary focus was photographing birds, especially those that frequented her own backyard or while kayaking on local Lake Winthrop. She loved camping and when she was constrained from traveling due to the pandemic, she began camping in her backyard, sleeping in a hammock for most of the last four summers.

Throughout Gail’s life, she usually had a Brittany spaniel by her side as well as multiple rescue cats. Gail had a special affinity for her backyard squirrels and they would wait for her daily handout of peanuts. Gail’s compassionate touch for living things extended throughout her community.

Gail is survived by two brothers, Lewis and Philip Donaldson of New Jersey as well as an extended family of nieces and nephews, notably Brooke Donaldson of New Jersey and Catherine Donaldson of Florida.

A celebration of life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 11 Main St. in Sherborn at 2 pm on Saturday, May 3, 2025. This service will be live-streamed at UUAC.org. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosie’s Place, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, or UU Area Church of Sherborn.